Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy – Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas (Political Science)
Answers to all "Questions, activities and projects" of Chapter 11, Grassroots Democracy – Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas (NCERT Class 6 Social Science, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, 2026-27): the three tiers of Panchayati Raj, the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat, a letter to the Sarpanch, and solving local problems. All 4 questions are answered, with the key answer highlighted.
Test yourself: without looking at the text, can you name the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system? What are the key functions of each of the three tiers?
Solution
Tier
Level
Key functions
Gram Panchayat (headed by the Sarpanch/Pradhan)
Village
Drinking water, village roads, street lights, cleanliness and drainage, maintaining schools and health centres, keeping records of births and deaths, carrying out government schemes in the village. Its work is discussed and checked in the Gram Sabha (all adult voters of the village).
Panchayat Samiti (Block/Mandal level)
Block (group of villages)
Plans and coordinates development work of all the Gram Panchayats in the block; links them with the district; looks after projects such as irrigation, roads between villages, and schemes for farming and health.
Zila Parishad (District level)
District
Plans development for the whole district, distributes government funds to the Samitis and Panchayats, supervises their work, and links the Panchayati Raj system with the State government.
Gram Panchayat (village: water, roads, cleanliness, schemes), Panchayat Samiti (block: plans and coordinates village panchayats), Zila Parishad (district: plans for the district, distributes funds, supervises).
Write a letter to the Sarpanch regarding the issue of plastic bags lying on the roadside in the village.
Solution
To
The Sarpanch,
Gram Panchayat, Rampur
District Barabanki
Date: 5 October 2026
Subject: Plastic bags lying on the roadside in the village
Respected Sir/Madam,
I am a student of Class 6 of the Government Upper Primary School, Rampur. I wish to bring to your notice that a large number of plastic bags are lying along the main road and near the village pond. Cows and goats eat them and fall sick, the bags block the drains so that water collects and mosquitoes breed, and the village looks dirty.
I request you to kindly: (1) arrange for the plastic waste to be collected and cleared regularly; (2) place dustbins at the market and bus stop; (3) encourage shopkeepers and villagers to use cloth or jute bags; and (4) organise an awareness drive in the Gram Sabha. Our school eco-club students will be happy to help in a cleanliness drive.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely,
Anjali Verma
Class 6, Government Upper Primary School, Rampur
Write a formal letter to the Sarpanch describing the problem (harm to animals, blocked drains, dirt) and requesting regular collection, dustbins, a ban on plastic bags and an awareness drive, offering students' help.
Suppose your village school is next to a highway, and students find it difficult to cross the road when they come to school or leave. What are the options to solve this issue? Which institutions in the Panchayati Raj can help? What can the students do?
Solution
Options:
Painting a zebra crossing and putting up "School ahead – slow down" signs and speed breakers.
Posting a traffic police officer or a volunteer (with a stop sign) at school opening and closing times.
Building a foot overbridge or subway for safe crossing.
Changing the school gate so that it opens onto a side road.
Institutions that can help:
The Gram Panchayat can discuss the issue in the Gram Sabha, pass a resolution and send a request to higher authorities.
The Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad can take it up with the district administration, the Public Works Department and the highway authority, and provide funds for signs or an overbridge.
What students can do:
Write a joint letter (with the teachers and the School Management Committee) to the Sarpanch.
Raise the issue in the Gram Sabha through their parents.
Always cross in groups, at the crossing, with a teacher or volunteer; follow road-safety rules and run an awareness campaign.
Ask for a zebra crossing, signs, speed breakers, a guard or an overbridge; the Gram Panchayat (through the Gram Sabha), Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad can take it up with the authorities; students can write letters, raise it in the Gram Sabha and follow road safety.
