Learn how urban local bodies
manage city life, oversee development,
and ensure that urban communities have access to essential services.

Chapter 12 Grassroots Democracy – Part 3: Local Government in Urban Areas

Class 6 NCERT Social
Science Exploring Society India
and Beyond

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Syllabus | Easy to remember solutions

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Chapter 12: Grassroots Democracy (Part 3: Local
Government in Urban Areas) (जमीनी लोकतंत्र (भाग 3: शहरी क्षेत्रों
में स्थानीय सरकार))

Urban Local Bodies (शहरी स्थानीय निकाय)

Roles of Municipal Corporations and Councils (नगर निगमों और परिषदों की भूमिकाएँ)

Citizen Participation in Urban Governance (शहरी शासन में नागरिक भागीदारी)

Question 1. On
your way to school, you and your friends notice that a water pipe is leaking. A
lot of water is being wasted on account of the leak. What would you and your
friends do in such a situation?

The urban local bodies are responsible for maintaining infrastructure in
cities, including water supply. However, citizens also have a role to play by
promptly reporting any issues to prevent waste and ensure efficient service
delivery.

You and your friends should report the leaking water pipe to the relevant
authorities. This could involve:

• Identifying the location: Make a note of the exact
  location of the leak, including street name and any landmarks that can
  help pinpoint the issue.
• Reporting the leak: You can contact the urban local
  body responsible for your area. This could be the Municipal Corporation,
  Municipal Council, or Nagar Panchayat, depending on the size and
  structure of your city. Most urban local bodies have helplines or online
  portals for reporting such issues. For instance, Indore Municipal
  Corporation offers a range of services, including addressing grievances,
  through its Citizen Relationship Management (CRM) system.
• Informing adults: Inform your parents, teachers,
  or other responsible adults about the leak, who can help escalate the
  issue if necessary.

Question 2. Invite a member of an urban local body near
you to your class. Discuss with them their role and responsibilities. Prepare a
set of questions to ask them so that the meeting is fruitful.

This question encourages you to engage directly with your local government.
Since this is an activity best done with your classmates, here’s a guide for
preparing questions:

Focus Areas for Your Questions:

• Specific Roles and
  Responsibilities: Ask about the specific areas the urban local body
  member oversees (e.g., sanitation, water supply, road maintenance).
• Decision-Making Processes: Inquire about how decisions are
  made within the urban local body, how residents’ feedback is
  incorporated, and how citizens can participate in these processes.
• Challenges and Achievements: Ask about the biggest challenges
  the urban local body faces and its most significant achievements.
• Future Plans and Projects: Inquire about upcoming projects
  or initiatives planned for the area.
• Citizen Engagement: Ask how the urban local body
  encourages citizen participation and what residents can do to contribute
  to the city’s betterment.

Example Questions:

• “What are some of the most
  important projects or initiatives your urban local body is currently
  working on?”
• “How does the urban local
  body ensure that the voices of all residents, especially marginalized
  communities, are heard and considered?”
• “What are some ways in which
  citizens can work together with the urban local body to improve our
  city/town?”

Question 3. Discuss with adult members of your family and
neighbourhood, and make a list of their expectations from the urban local
bodies.

This question encourages you to gather community perspectives. Consider
these areas when discussing with family and neighbours:

• Basic Services: What are their expectations
  regarding water supply, sanitation, garbage collection, street lighting,
  and road maintenance?
• Public Safety: Do they feel safe in their
  neighbourhood? What improvements would they like to see regarding crime
  prevention, traffic management, and disaster preparedness?
• Public Health: What are their concerns about
  public health issues like mosquito control, sanitation, and access to
  healthcare facilities?
• Education and Recreation: Are there adequate schools,
  parks, playgrounds, and community centres in the area?
• Infrastructure Development: What are their views on the need
  for improved roads, public transportation, and other infrastructure
  projects?

Question 4. Make a list of characteristics of a good
urban local body.

Characteristics of a Good Urban Local Body:

• Responsive and Accountable: A good urban local body is
  responsive to the needs of its citizens, addresses their concerns
  promptly, and is accountable for its actions.
• Transparent and Participatory: It operates with transparency,
  making information about its decisions and finances accessible to the
  public. It also encourages citizen participation in decision-making
  processes.
• Efficient and Effective: It manages resources
  efficiently, implements projects effectively, and strives to provide
  quality services to its residents.
• Inclusive and Equitable: It represents the interests of
  all residents fairly, regardless of their social or economic background,
  and works towards the equitable distribution of resources and
  opportunities.
• Forward-Looking and Sustainable: It plans for the future,
  anticipates challenges, and adopts sustainable practices to ensure the
  long-term well-being of the city and its residents.

Question 5. What are the similarities and differences
between the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas and the urban local bodies?

Let’s compare the two systems of local governance in India:

Similarities:

• Elected Representatives: Both systems have elected
  representatives at different levels who are chosen by the people through
  local elections [5, 13, and Chapter 11]. This ensures democratic
  representation and local decision-making.
• Decentralized Governance: Both the Panchayati Raj system
  and urban local bodies aim to bring governance closer to the people and
  empower local communities to manage their own affairs.
• Focus on Development: Both systems are responsible for
  the overall development of their respective areas, including
  infrastructure development, social welfare programs, and economic
  progress.

Differences:

• Structure and Terminology: The Panchayati Raj system
  typically has a three-tier structure (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti,
  Zila Parishad) [Chapter 11], while urban local bodies can be structured
  as Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, or Nagar Panchayats,
  depending on the population size.
• Complexity and Scale of
  Operations: Urban
  areas tend to be more densely populated and have more complex needs compared
  to rural areas, demanding greater resources, specialized departments, and
  more extensive infrastructure.
• Functions and Responsibilities: While there are overlaps, urban
  local bodies generally handle a broader range of functions compared to
  Panchayats, including urban planning, public transportation, and solid
  waste management.

The conversation between Sameer and Anita highlights some of these
differences. Sameer points out that in villages, everyone knows each other,
leading to higher participation in Gram Sabha meetings, even by children. Anita
acknowledges the more complex nature of urban governance but emphasizes that
both systems are based on the principle of citizen representation and
participation.