Learn about democracy, governance, and how the three branches of government in India maintain order and enable
citizen participation.

Chapter 10 Grassroots Democracy – Part 1 Governance

Class 6 NCERT Social
Science Exploring Society India
and Beyond

New
Syllabus | Easy to remember solutions

Concept
Map: 

Chapter 10: Grassroots Democracy (Part 1: Governance) (जमीनी लोकतंत्र (भाग 1: शासन))

Meaning of Democracy (लोकतंत्र का अर्थ)

Three Organs of Government: Legislature, Executive, Judiciary (सरकार के तीन अंग: विधायिका, कार्यपालिका, न्यायपालिका)

Three-Tiered Government System (तीन-स्तरीय सरकार प्रणाली)

Question 1.
Test yourself — What is the meaning of democracy? What is the difference
between direct democracy and representative democracy?

Democracy means “rule of the people”. It is a system of
government where supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them
directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving
periodically held free and fair elections.

• In a direct democracy,
  citizens directly participate in decision-making processes, such as
  voting on specific issues. For example schoolchildren voting to choose a
  picnic spot.
• In a representative democracy,
  citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. India
  is described as a representative democracy where citizens elect MLAs at
  the state level and MPs at the national level.

Question 2. Recall the three organs of government. What
are their different roles?

The three organs of government are:

• Legislature: This organ is responsible for
  making laws. In India, the legislature comprises elected representatives
  at the state and national levels, referred to as MLAs and MPs,
  respectively. They discuss, debate and formulate laws.
• Executive: This organ implements the laws
  made by the legislature. At the national level, the executive is led by
  the Prime Minister, while at the state level, it is led by the Chief
  Minister. They, along with their respective councils of ministers, are
  responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining order.
• Judiciary: This organ ensures that laws are
  upheld and fairly applied. It is a system of courts, with the Supreme
  Court at its apex, responsible for interpreting laws and delivering
  justice. The judiciary also has the power to review the actions of the
  executive and the legislature, ensuring they act within the bounds of the
  law.

Question 3. Why do we need three tiers of government?

India has a three-tiered system of government to effectively manage
and govern a large and diverse country:

• Central or Union Government: This tier governs the entire
  nation and is responsible for matters of national importance, such as
  defence, foreign affairs and currency.
• State Government: This tier governs individual
  states within the country and is responsible for matters within their
  respective states such as police, education and public health.
• Local Government: This tier operates at the town
  or village level, addressing local issues and concerns that directly
  impact communities.

This multi-tiered structure allows for a division of powers and
responsibilities, ensuring that governance is closer to the people and their
needs are addressed effectively.

Question 4. Project: Many of you will remember the
lockdown that took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. Make a list of all the
actions that were taken at that time? Which tiers of government were involved
in managing the situation? What was the role of each of the organs of
government?

The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a range of actions across various tiers of
government to manage the crisis effectively. Here’s a summary of those actions
and the roles of different government organs:

 

Actions Taken During the Lockdown

1. Imposition of Lockdowns: Nationwide lockdowns were declared to curb the
spread of the virus, restricting movement and gatherings.

2. Travel Restrictions: Domestic and international travel was suspended,
with strict regulations on movement between states and cities.

3. Healthcare Initiatives: Governments ramped up healthcare responses,
including setting up quarantine facilities, increasing testing capacity, and
ensuring the availability of medical supplies.

4. Public Awareness Campaigns: Information campaigns were launched to educate
the public about hygiene practices, social distancing, and the importance of
wearing masks.

5. Economic Measures: Financial packages were introduced to support
individuals and businesses affected by the lockdown, including direct cash
transfers and loan moratoriums.

6. Digital Initiatives: Promotion of digital platforms for education,
work-from-home arrangements, and online services to reduce physical
interactions.

 

 Government Involvement

– Central Government: The central government coordinated national policies,
issued guidelines, and provided funding for healthcare infrastructure. It also
managed the procurement of medical supplies and vaccines.

– State Governments: State governments implemented lockdown measures,
enforced regulations, and managed local healthcare responses. They were
responsible for setting up quarantine centers and hospitals.

– Local Governments: Local bodies played a crucial role in enforcing
lockdowns, managing public health initiatives, and ensuring the delivery of
essential services to communities.

 

Roles of Government Organs

– Executive: Executed policies and enforced lockdown measures through
police and health departments.

– Legislature: Passed necessary laws to facilitate emergency measures and
allocate funds for healthcare and economic relief.

– Judiciary: Ensured that the rights of citizens were protected during the
enforcement of lockdowns and addressed legal challenges related to the measures
taken.

 

This multi-tiered approach was essential in managing the public health
crisis while balancing economic and social needs during the pandemic.