Local Governments in India Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 10

by

Reviewing AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Study Material Chapter 10 Local Governments in India Questions and Answers can help students prepare confidently for exams.

AP Inter 2nd Year Civics 10th Lesson Local Governments in India Questions and Answers

Very Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Mention the organs of the Zilla Parishad
Answer:
The Zilla Parishad comprises five organs:

  1. Zilla Parishad
  2. Zilla Parishad Chairperson
  3. Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
  4. Zilla Mahasabha
  5. Standing Committees

Question 2.
What are the qualifications required to contest in local self-government elections in India?
Answer:
To contest in local self-governments in India a candidate must possess following qualifications:

  1. He/she should be a citizen of India.
  2. He/she should have completed the age of 21 years.
  3. He/she should have registered as voter in the local electoral list.

Question 3.
Gram Sabha
Answer:
The Grama Sabha is the village assembly consisting of all registered voters of the Gram Panchayat area. It is a permanent body and ensures people’s participation, transparency, and accountability in village administration. It meets at least twice a year to approve development plans and review the functioning of the Gram Panchayat.

Local Governments in India Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 10

Question 4.
Cantonment Boards
Answer:
Cantonment Boards in India are Urban local bodies originally established under the Cantonments Act, 1924, which was later replaced by the Cantonments Act, 2006. At present, there are 61 Cantonment Boards functioning across the country.

These bodies work to improve the living conditions of both the civilian population and military personnel within their jurisdiction. They function under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Short Answer Questions

Question 1.
Write any four features of the Local government in India.
Answer:
Features of the Local government in India:

  1. Local governments operate within a specific, limited geographical area, smaller than the entire state.
  2. They have clearly defined powers to make rules, regulations, and decisions for local administration.
  3. They are organised to allow local people to participate in the management of local affairs.
  4. Their main objective is to promote the economic, social, and civic development of the local area.
  5. While functioning under state guidance, they enjoy a certain degree of administrative and financial autonomy.

Question 2.
Classify the Local governments in India.
Answer:
In India, local government is classified into two different sets of institutions: Rural local government (or Panchayati Raj Institutions) and Urban local bodies.
Rural Local Government (Three-tier system of Panchayati Raj):

  1. Zilla Parishads at District level.
  2. Mandal Parishads or Panchayat Samithi at Mandal Level.
  3. Gram Panchayats at village level.

Urban Local Government Institutions (Nine types):

  1. Municipal Corporation.
  2. Municipality.
  3. Nagar Panchayat.
  4.  Notified Area Committee.
  5. Town Area Committee.
  6. Cantonment Boards.
  7. Township.
  8. Port Trust.
  9. Special Purpose Agencies.

Question 3.
Write a brief note on municipalities.
Answer:
Municipalities are urban local bodies that function below a Municipal Corporation and above a Nagar Panchayat. In Andhra Pradesh, municipalities are constituted under the Andhra Pradesh Municipalities Act, 1965. The State Government declares an area as a municipality based on population, income, and urban characteristics.

The city is divided into wards, and the voters of each ward directly elect Councillors for a term of five years.

Main organs of a Municipality:

  1. Municipal Council
  2. Municipal Chairperson
  3. Municipal Commissioner
  4. Standing Committees

Grades of Municipalities:

  1. Selection Grade Municipality – Population above 3 lakh; Income above ₹ 8 crores.
  2. Special Grade Municipality – Population 1-3 lakh; Income ₹ 6-8 crores.
  3. Grade-I Municipality – Population 50,000-1 lakh; Income ₹ 4-6 crores.
  4. Grade-II Municipality – Population 40,000-50,000; Income ₹ 2-4 crores.
  5. Grade-III Municipality- Population 25,000-40,000; Income ₹ 1-2 crores.

Local Governments in India Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 10

Question 4.
What is the role of District Collector in the local Governments?
Answer:

  • Role of District Collector: The District Collector is the head of district administration and plays an important role in the welfare and development of the people.
  • District collector supervises various administrative activities in the district.
  • The office of the District Collector was established in 1772 by the East India Company.
  • Before Independence, the Collector was mainly responsible for revenue collection, maintaining law and order, and protecting British interests. After Independence, the role of the Collector expanded.
  • District Collector became responsible for implementing rural development programmes, welfare schemes, and Panchayati Raj reforms.
  • The Collector also coordinates the work of different government departments in the district.
  • Today, the District Collector, usually an IAS officer, supervises local governments, coordinates development activities, and acts as a link between the State Government and the people.
  • District Collector ensures that government policies and programmes are effectively implemented at the district level.

Long Answer Questions

Question 1.
Explain briefly the organs of the Gram Panchayat.
Answer:
The Gram Panchayat is the lowest tier in the Panchayati Raj system.
The Gram Panchayat comprises four main organs, namely:

  1. Panchayat
  2. Sarpanch
  3. Panchayat Secretary
  4. Gram Sabha

1. Panchayat
The Panchayat is the executive body of the Gram Panchayat. Generally, it consists of the following members:

i) Elected members:

  • The Sarpanch (President) – the elected head of the Gram Panchayat.
  • The Upa-Sarpanch (Vice-President) – elected by and from among the ward members.
  • The Ward Members – elected representatives from each ward of the village.

ii) Permanent Invitees: They are the government officials such as Panchayat Secretary, Village Agriculture Assistant, and Village Health Worker/Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM), among others.

2. Sarpanch: The Sarpanch is the political and executive head of the Panchayat. His/her tenure is five years. The Sarpanch presides over the meetings of the Village Panchayat and the Gram Sabha with the assistance of the Panchayat Secretary. The Sarpanch exercises administrative control over the properties, programmes, and personnel of the Village Panchayat and plays a key role in the integrated development of the village.

3. Panchayat Secretary: The Panchayat Secretary is a government-appointed administrative officer who manages the daily affairs of the Gram Panchayat. The Secretary assists the elected Sarpanch in conducting meetings of the Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha, maintains official records and accounts, and implements government schemes and developmental programmes at the village level. The Panchayat Secretary acts as a vital link between the State Government and the Gram Panchayat, ensuring effective coordination and efficient functioning of local governance.

4. Gram Sabha: The Gram Sabha is the village assembly, consisting of all registered voters of the Gram Panchayat area. It is a permanent body, unlike the Gram Panchayat, which is a group of elected representatives. The Gram Sabha meets at least twice a year to approve the annual budget and development plans, select beneficiaries for welfare schemes, and review the functioning of the Gram Panchayat. The Sarpanch presides over its meetings. The Gram Sabha ensures people’s participation, transparency and accountability in village administration.

Question 2.
Write any eight provisions of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act.
Answer:
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 was approved by Parliament in December 1992 and came into force on June 1, 1993. It is regarded as a progressive measures to strengthen Urban local bodies in India. The Act provided a uniform constitutional framework for the effective functioning of these bodies across the country.

Provisions of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992:

  1. The Act gave constitutional status to Urban local bodies in India.
  2. It listed 18 subjects under their jurisdiction.
  3. It defined terms related to Urban local bodies and constituted Metropolitan areas for populations of one million or more.
  4. It provided for Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats and allowed state governments to designate and demarcate them.
  5. It specified the composition of Municipalities, including ex-officio members from the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha, and optional members from the Legislative Council and Rajya Sabha.
  6. It authorized state legislatures to legislate on the composition of ward committees.
  7. It provided seat reservations for SCs, STs and one-third for women, including the Chairperson’s office on a rotation basis.
  8. It prescribed a five-year term for Municipalities and elections within six months of dissolution.
  9. Persons disqualified to become members of the Legislative Assembly are also disqualified to become members of Municipalities. The minimum age for membership in a Municipality is 21 years.
  10. It empowered Municipalities to levy taxes, allocate funds and receive grants from the state.

Local Governments in India Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 10

Question 3.
Describe the organs of the Municipal Corporation.
Answer:
The Municipal Corporation is the highest form of urban local government functioning in large urban areas. It is constituted by a special Act of the State Government. The registered voters of each ward directly elect their representatives on a party basis, who are known as Corporators (or Councillors). The term of office of the elected members is five years.

The Municipal Corporation comprises four main organs, namely:

  1. Corporation Council
  2. Mayor
  3. Commissioner
  4. Standing Committees

1. Corporation Council: The Corporation Council is the deliberative and legislative wing of the Municipal Corporation, responsible for making decisions related to urban governance and development. It generally includes the following members:

  • Elected Members: These members are directly elected by the people from the territorial constituencies (wards) of the Municipal Corporation, usually on a party basis.
  • Chairpersons: The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are indirectly elected from among the elected Corporators.
  • Ex-officio Members: These include Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs), and Members of Parliament (MPs) representing the city or any part of the Municipal Corporation area.
  • Permanent Invitees: These are district-level government officials, such as the District Collector, District Educational Officer, and District Medical and Health Officer.

2. The Mayor: The Mayor is the head of the Municipal Corporation and is regarded as the first citizen of the city. He/she presides over the meetings of the Corporation Council and ensures that its decisions are properly implemented. The Mayor generally holds office for a period of five years.

3. Commissioner: The Municipal Commissioner is the administrative head of the Municipal Corporation. He/she is usually appointed by the State Government as a cadre officer, generally from the Indian Administrative Service (IAS). The Commissioner assists the Mayor in conducting meetings of the Corporation Council, prepares the annual budget, and ensures the efficient use of funds.

4. Standing Committees: The Standing Committees are advisory bodies of the Municipal Corporation that assist in its day-to-day administration. They deal with subjects such as health, education, public works, taxation and finance. Each committee comprises elected members, with one serving as the Chairperson. The Finance Committee is the most important, overseeing
budget preparation and financial management.

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
Which Veda mentions village communities?
1. Sama Veda
2. Yajur Veda
3. Rigveda
4. Atharva Veda
Answer:
3. Rigveda

Question 2.
Who is known as the father of local bodies in modern India?
1. Mahatma Gandhi
2. Jawaharlal Nehru
3. Lord Mayo
4. Lord Ripon
Answer:
4. Lord Ripon

Question 3.
Which State first implemented the Panchayati Raj System in India?
1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Telangana
3. Rajasthan
4. Madhya Pradesh
Answer:
3. Rajasthan

Question 4.
Identify the highest Urban local government institution in India.
1. Nagar Panchayat
2. Municipal Corporation
3. Municipality
4. Cantonment Board
Answer:
2. Municipal Corporation

Question 5.
Where was the first Municipal Corporation established in India?
1. Mumbai
2. Calcutta
3. Madras
4. Bangalore
Answer:
3. Madras

Fill in the Blanks

Question 1.
Village Panchayats flourished in South India during the dynasty of __________
Answer:
Chola

Question 2.
__________ Committee recommended Three tire panchayatraj system in India.
Answer:
Balwant Rai Mehta

Question 3.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 came into force __________
Answer:
24th April, 1993

Local Governments in India Questions and Answers AP Inter 2nd Year Civics Chapter 10

Question 4.
__________ Constitutional Amendment Act provides for the establishment and structure of Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities) in India?
Answer:
74th

One Word Answers

Question 1.
How many functional subjects are listed in the Eleventh Schedule?
Answer:
29

Question 2.
State the new schedule that was added to the Constitution of India by the 73rd Constitutional Act.
Answer:
Eleventh Schedule

Question 3.
Who is the political head of the Panchayat?
Answer:
Sarpanch

Question 4.
Mention the Chief Executive head of the Mandal Parishad.
Answer:
Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO)