What is Government?

Content:
• Need of Govt.
• Levels of Government
• Laws and Government
• Types of Government
- Democratic government
- Universal Adult franchise
Q. Why do you think the government needs to make
rules for everyone in the form of laws?
Governments make laws to establish a framework for
society to function orderly. Laws help to:
• Maintain peace and order in society
• Protect individual rights
• Ensure public safety
• Promote justice and fairness
• Address social, economic, and environmental issues
• Ensure the security of the nation and its people
• Administer the country efficiently
• Create employment, education, and health services
Laws are compulsory for people to obey. Disobeying the
rules leads to punishment. There is no discrimination in
punishments for breaking the rules.
Some subjects that the government has to make laws on
include:
• Defending the boundaries
• Protecting the people from external aggression
• Eradication of poverty
Q. Why do you think it is important that people abide
by law?
The government needs laws to maintain peace and order in
society. Law establishes justice. It is meant to achieve
constitutional ideals: equality and right against
discrimination. Law makes it compulsory for the people to
obey it.
Laws protect our general safety, and ensure our rights as
citizens against abuses by other people, by organizations,
and by the government itself.
Q. Who gives the government this power to make
decisions and enforce laws?
In a democracy, the people give the government the power
to make decisions and enforce laws. The people do this
through elections, where they vote for persons to be elected.
Once elected, these persons form the government.
In a democracy the government has to explain its actions and
defend its decisions to the people.
Another form of govt. is Monarchy. The Monarch (king or
queen has power to make decisions and run the govt. The
monarch may have a small group of people to discuss matters
with, but the final decisions making power remains with the
monarch. Unlike in a democracy, Kings and queens do not
have to explain their actions or defend the decisions they
take.
Q. Do you think it is important for people to be involved
in decisions that affect them?
Yes, it is important for people to be involved in decisions
that affect them.
Some reasons why it is important for people to be involved
in decisions that affect them include:
• Involvement promotes democracy.
• Involvement reduces the chances of opposition to a
decision or law passed.
• People understand their issues better and can suggest
better solutions.
• People are the best choice to give their opinion on the
solution because they know the consequences of the
solution.
• People bring technical expertise, specific knowledge
about the effects of decisions, local experience and
history, and other specialized experience to the
decision-making process.
Some ways to involve people in decisions that affect them
include:
• Starting a committee
• Conducting employee surveys
• Using a suggestion box
• Letting them set performance targets and goals
Q. Which type of government would you prefer to have
in the place you live in? Why?
Democracy is the best form of government because it allows
citizens to participate in the decision-making of the nation.
In a democracy, citizens elect their own representatives to
make decisions on their behalf. Democracy is also
considered the best form of government because:
• Everyone can participate in the affairs of the
government through elections.
• It gives a sense of justice and equality to the people.
• People have the right to choose their rulers.
• Democracy has more freedom of speech than any
other forms of government.
It is more accountable and responsive.
Other forms of government include: Monarchies,
Oligarchies, Dictatorships, Totalitarian governments.
Q. What was Suffrage Movement? What did it
accomplish?
Suffrage → the right to vote in an election.
In many western democracies, especially in USA and
Britain, women were initially denied the right to vote and
contest an election to run for public office. A woman’s
opinion was considered irrelevant and their voices were
suppressed. To protest against this gross injustice, women
formed organisations to fight for their rights. After several
years of struggle, they were granted the right to vote and run
for public office. The Suffrage Movement was a part of a
larger movement for women’s rights across the world.
Women’s struggle for right to vote got strengthened during
the First World War. During the war, many men were away
for fighting and because of this, women were called upon to
do the work earlier done by men.
When people saw this, they began to realize that they had
created many unfair stereotypes about women. Then women
organised themselves and demanded for equal right as men.
This movement is called the women’s suffrage movement as
the term suffrage usually means right to vote.
All women demanded the right to vote for themselves and to
get their demands heard, they chained themselves to railing
in public places. Many suffragettes were imprisoned and
went on hunger strikes. Finally, in 1920 America provided
voting right for women and later in 1928 UK also gave them
the right to vote.
Q. What is Universal Adult Franchise?
Universal adult franchise is the right of all adult citizens to
vote in elections, regardless of their:
Age, Caste, Religion, Color, Race, Economic conditions,
Gender, Social status, Wealth, Political stance.
Universal adult franchise is also known as:
• Universal suffrage
• Common suffrage
• General suffrage of the common man
Article 326 defines universal adult franchise as the
foundation for elections at all levels of the elected
government. It establishes political equality among all
adults and ensures that all people have a say in electing the
ruler.
The 61st Amendment Act of 1989 lowered the voting age
from 21 to 18 years.

KEY ELEMENTS OF DEMOCRATIC

GOVERNMENT
➢ Participation
➢ Conflict
➢ Equality and Justice
Q. Do you think it is important for all persons to be
treated equally? Why?
Yes, it is important for all people to be treated equally.
Treating people equally is a human right. People should be
treated with respect, dignity, and kindness, no matter their
circumstances.
Equality is important for many reasons, including:
➢ People are born equal and have the right to life,
property, and liberty.
➢ Equality is a cornerstone of any country,
especially a democracy.
➢ Equality ensures that a country remains united and
peaceful.
➢ Equality is important for the development of society
and the country.
Research shows that life expectancy is worse in more
unequal societies. Inequality can lead to:
➢ Internal strife
➢ International boycotts
 ➢ Civil war
➢ The discriminated section of the population seceding
from the majority
➢ Chaos
Q. Why do you think elections are required after a fixed
period?
Elections are required after a fixed period to ensure that
elected officials are accountable to the people. In a
democracy, elected officials must return to the voters at
prescribed intervals to seek their mandate to continue in
office.
Elections are essential for any representative democracy.
They allow people to:
➢ Choose their representatives at regular intervals
➢ Change their representatives if they wish to do so
➢ Sense their power in a democracy
➢ Limit the power of the government
➢ Nominate another party to form government if they
are dissatisfied with the current government
Elections guarantee that no government is elected for an
indefinite period of time and thus becomes tyrannical.
Most democratic constitutions provide that elections are held
at fixed regular intervals.
Q. Why conflicts occur in democracy?
Conflicts can occur in a democracy when:
• People of different cultures, religions, regions, or
economic backgrounds do not get along with each
other.
• Some people feel they are being discriminated
against.
• Governance processes fail to manage conflict
adequately.
There are political conflicts, such as:
• Territorial disputes
• Competition for leadership positions
• Clashes between political parties
• Disputes over specific policy issues and legislation
Social conflicts can occur when:
Governance processes fail to manage conflict adequately
through:
• Genuine political dialogue
 • Mechanisms for legitimate decision making
• The rule of law
Political conflicts can have implications such as:
• Instability in governments and political systems
• Hindered economic growth and development
Many of today's violent conflicts are not wars between
contending states, but take place within existing states. Many
are inextricably bound up with concepts of identity, nation,
and nationalism, and many stem from the competition for
resources, recognition, and power.
Conflicts can occur in Indian society for many reasons,
including:
• Differences in culture, religion, region, or economic
background
• Discrimination
• Lack of agreement in opinion, ideas, or views
• Prejudices and misconceptions
• Political, social, economic, or cultural factors
• Caste conflicts
Communal violence can be triggered by factors such as:
Elections, Religious festivals, Cow protection, Conversions.
Caste conflicts can be caused by:
• Dominance of one caste over others
• Exploitation of lower castes by upper castes
• Barriers in mobility and achieving political power
• Competition for economic opportunities and
acquiring symbols of high status
Environmental conflicts in India are caused by:
• Population growth
• Poverty
• Rapid industrialization
• Urbanization
• The massive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides
• Social inequality
• Contested claims over territory
• The proliferation of extractive industries
• Privatization and the control of resources by the
socially powerful
Environmental conflicts in India are most common in classes
that regularly have the prevalence and expectation of mass
displacement of people. Examples of this include:
• Water control
 • Massive dams
• Fossil gas extraction
• Destruction of large forest areas
• Land for open pit coal mining
India has more environmental conflicts than any other
country. According to the EJAtlas, an interactive map of
1,703 global ecological conflicts, India has 222 listed
conflicts. Colombia and Nigeria have 116 and 71 conflicts,
respectively.
Q. How do you think lowering the school fees would help
girls attend school?
Lowering school fees can help girls attend school because
parents often cannot afford to send their daughters to school.
Parents may rely on their daughters' income to support the
household, and sending a girl to school means they spend
less time helping in the home.
Lowering school fees can help girls attend school because:
• Parents may think their girls would get an education
by paying a very low fee.
• Parents may want to spend all their resources on their
boy child rather than spending on both.
• Removing fees can create roughly 0.2 more years of
schooling, especially for children of women with less
schooling.
Other factors that can affect girls' education include:
• Parents often rely on girls' income to support the
household.
• Sending a girl to school means they spend less time
helping in the home.
• Education is an investment that people undertake if
the expectation is that the long run benefits will
exceed the upfront costs.
Q. Did the practice of untouchability support the idea
that people are equal?
No, the practice of untouchability does not support the idea
that people are equal. Untouchability supports the idea of
discrimination and unjust or unequal situations.
Untouchability is a practice that denies basic rights. It is
based on religious principles that have been practiced for
about 1,500 years. The system persists today for economic
and religious reasons.
In India, the Dalits were considered untouchables. They were
traditionally tasked with menial jobs like leather work and
manual scavenging. They were perceived to be so “unclean”
that even their presence or touch was seen to be polluting.
Untouchables were told not to:
• Draw water from certain wells or ponds
• Walk on certain streets
• Enter temples and certain public places
• Untouchability is not equated with democracy
because it denies basic rights
Q. What are the various ways in which people participate
in the process of government?
• Through voting in elections People vote leaders of
their choice to represent them. These representatives
take decisions on behalf of their people.
• People participate in the process of government by
taking an interest in the working of government and
by criticizing it when required.
• People express their views through several ways and
make governments understand what actions they
should take. They stage dharnas, hold rallies, strikes,
signature campaigns, etc.
• Another way for people to participate is by
organizing themselves into social movements that
seek to challenge the government and its functioning.
Members of the minority community can participate
in this manner.
Q. Why do you think we need the government to find
solutions to many disputes or conflicts?
The government is responsible for finding solutions to
disputes and conflicts because:
• It is necessary to maintain peace and laws in the
nation.
• The government is accountable to its people and
takes care of them.
• Conflicts can turn into outrageous or violent
movements in the future if not solved.
• The government can resolve conflicts in the interest
of the people at large.
• The government can get representatives of concerned
communities to meet and try to arrive at a solution.
Conflicts can arise in states, between two or more states, and
sometimes between two nations. They can appear when:
• People of different cultures, religions, regions, or
economic backgrounds do not get along with each
other.
 • People feel they are being discriminated against.
• The government can complete the necessary
procedure in a peaceful manner and according to the
laws of the constitution.
Q. What actions does the government take to ensure that
all people are treated equally?
Governments take many actions to ensure that all people are
treated equally, including:
• Enforcing laws that ban discrimination based on
caste, creed, religion, region, gender, wealth, and
language
• Providing provisions for groups that are
disadvantaged in society, such as women, the girl
child, small farmers, laborers, and the poor
• Making available basic requirements for food,
clothing, shelter, education, and employment
• Promoting education among girls and economically
backwards
• Creating fair regulations
• Providing education and training
• Offering financial support
• Monitoring and enforcing rules
• Promoting transparency and accountability
Governments also ensure that everybody is treated equally
before the law and in the constitution.
Panchayati Raj
Q. What, in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram
Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram
Sabha meetings? Why?
Gram Sabha: Group of adults live in a panchayat area.
Importance of Gram Sabha because of:
• Elects members of the Gram Panchayat
• Monitors the functioning of the Gram Panchayat
• Develops strategies for village development
• Carries out ruling provisions
• Looks after the basic needs of villagers
• Is the custodian of the village's public property
Gram Sabha is also a place where problems and solutions can
be discussed. Some problems discussed at Gram Sabha
meetings include:
• Construction and maintenance of village roads and
waterways
• Construction of culverts on roads and waterways
• Planting of trees
• Maintenance and repair of public wells, tanks, and
pits
Yes, all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings. It is
the only way to participate in the proceedings of various
plans discussed in the meetings. It also secures the
participation of villagers in commodity development.
Q. What is the link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram
Panchayat?
Secretary is the link between the Gram Panchayat and Gram
Sabha.
• Responsible for calling the meetings of Gram Sabha
and Gram Panchayat.
• The custodian of the records of the proceedings.
• Gram Sabha controls the functioning of the Gram
Panchayat.
1. The Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat are
interconnected entities within the Panchayati Raj
System.
2. The Gram Sabha elects the members of the Gram
Panchayat, ensuring that they are accountable to the
local community.
3. The Gram Panchayat, in turn, is answerable to the
Gram Sabha, as it functions as a representative body
of the village.
4. The Gram Sabha holds regular meetings to discuss and
approve the Gram Panchayat's plans, policies, and budgets.
5. The Gram Panchayat seeks the guidance and consent of
the Gram Sabha in matters of public importance, ensuring
democratic decision-making at the grassroots level.
6. The Gram Sabha also acts as a platform for the Gram
Panchayat to seek feedback, suggestions, and grievances
from the community.
Q. What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a
Gram Panchayat?
Gram Sabha Gram Panchayat
Legal assembly of all adult villagers Elected body that implements decisions
made by the Gram Sabha
Forum for villagers to discuss and decide Primary body of rural local self-
on village development government
Permanent body Executive committee of the Gram Sabha
Members are 18 years or older and have Members are called Ward members or
the right to vote Panchs
Helps implement Panchayat development Elected for a period of five years
programs and schemes
Identifies beneficiaries Responsible for the overall
administration of the village

Q. What are three levels of Panchayats and their role?

GRAM PANCHAYAT: -
Every village is divided into wards i.e., small areas. Each
ward elects a representative called the ward Member
(panch). The gram Sabha also elects a sarpanch who is the
panchayat president. The Panchs and sarpanch form the
Gram Panchayat.
BLOCK SAMITI OR PANCHAYAT SAMITI: -
It is the one of the levels which is the block level called
Janpad Samiti or block Samiti has many Gram Panchayat
under it.
ZILA PARISHAD: -
Above the panchayat Samiti is the zila parishad or District
Panchayat. The zila parishad makes plans at the district level.
Q. Who is Block Development Officer? Role and
Responsibilities?
A Block Development Officer (BDO) is responsible for the
development and activities of a block. Their responsibilities
include:
• Supervising the execution of all programs related to
the planning and development of the block.
 • Making sure that plans are approved by the
concerned authorities and executed properly.
• Coordinating development activities in their blocks
• Working with local government bodies, such as
panchayats (local councils).
• Overseeing the implementation of government
schemes and projects in their blocks.
• Preparing and implementing development plans for
the rural areas in their block.
• Implementing various government schemes aimed at
improving the socio-economic condition of the rural
population.
• Drawing up plans and approaching the District
Panchayat for funds and supplies.
BDO's are members of the Block Samiti. They are
experienced officials and custodians of rules and regulations.
Q. Find out more about watershed development and how
it benefits an area?
Watershed development is a government initiative that aims
to conserve, recharge, and use water resources. It can benefit
an area by:
• Conserving water: Through activities like planting
trees, making canals, and building bunds
• Fertilizing land: Supporting the growth of trees,
plants, and crops
• Preserving water: Helping to preserve water and its
resources
• Preventing soil erosion: Helping to reduce soil
erosion
Other benefits of watershed development include:
• Improved agricultural yields
• Increased access to drinking water
• Increased capacity to capture and store rainwater
• Improved soil nutrient and carbon content
Watershed development programs are often carried out by
non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Rural Administration
Q. Hindu Succession Amendment Act, 2005?
The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act, 2005 (39 of 2005)
was passed to remove gender discriminatory provisions in
the Hindu Succession Act, 1956. The amendment aimed to
increase the rights of daughters and women to property and
bring them to par with male family members.
The amendment included daughters as coparceners. It
uprooted the existing norms that a woman cannot be a
coparcener and that she can never become the Karta of the
joint family.
The amendment has tremendously balanced the property
rights of male and female siblings. In 2008, the Supreme
Court ruled that the law has retrospective effect. This means
that for the daughter to become a co-sharer with her male
siblings, the father does not have to be alive on 9 September
2005.
The amendment also states that if the father dies intestate
(without making any will), then the daughter is the sole heir.
She has a legal right to the property by birth and not through
the male members of the extended family.

Urban Administration
Q. What is ward councillor and administrative staff and
their role?
A ward councillor represents a specific ward on a municipal
council. Their responsibilities include:
• Ensuring the welfare and interests of their wards
• Presenting the needs of their wards to the entire
council
• Making decisions on where a park or hospital should
be built
• Communicating the work of the council to
constituents
Administrative staff are responsible for implementing the
decisions made by the council. Their responsibilities include:
• Ensuring the smooth running of services
• Managing office supplies stock and placing orders
• Preparing regular reports on expenses and office
budgets
 • Serving as the eyes and ears of the office, providing
information, answering questions, and responding to
requests
• Ensuring optimal use of office equipment, supplies,
and inventories through preventive maintenance
Municipal corporation: - Big City
Municipal council: - Small town
Ward Councillors: Elected members of municipal
corporation
Commissioner & administrative staff: - Appointed
Q. How does the Municipal Corporation earn the money to
do its work?
A municipal corporation earns money through various taxes
paid by citizens:
• Property tax on houses and land
• Tax on trade and business
• Fees on water facilities
• Fees on electricity facilities
• Education tax
• House tax
• Movie tax
• Taxes on shops and hotels
The municipal corporation also gets some grants from the
government.
The municipal corporation's work includes:
• Taking care of street lights
• Ensuring that diseases do not break out in the city
• Running schools, hospitals, and dispensaries
• Taking care of garbage collection, water supply, and
keeping the streets and the market clean
Local Government
• Importance of Local Govt. bodies?
• Provisions made by 73rd and 74th amendments?
• Functions and responsibilities of local govt. bodies?

1. What is Reserved seat and non-reserved seat?

In the Panchayat system, two seats are reserved for
women and members of the scheduled caste: SCs and
STs
The number of reserved seats should be roughly
proportional to the total number of seats to be filled
by direct election in the Panchayat.
(1) Seats shall be reserved for Scheduled Castes and
Scheduled Tribes in every Gram Panchayat, and the
number of seats so reserved shall bear, as nearly as
may be, the same proportion to the total number of
seats to be filled by direct election in that Panchayat
as the population of Scheduled Castes or of the
Scheduled Tribes in that Panchayat area bears to the
total population of that area and such seats shall be
allotted by rotation to different constituencies in such
Gram Panchayat, in such manner as may be
prescribed.
(2) Not less than one-third of the total number of
seats reserved under sub-section (1) shall be reserved
for women belonging to Scheduled Castes, or as the
case may be, the Scheduled Tribes.
(3) Not less than one-third (including the number of
seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled
Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number
of seats to be filled by direct election in every Gram
Panchayat shall be reserved for women and such
seats may be allotted by rotation to different
constituencies in a Gram Panchayat in such manner
as may be prescribed

According to Article 243D of the Constitution, one-

third of the seats and one-third of the offices of the
Chairperson at all levels of Panchayati Raj
Institutions are reserved for women.

The offices of the Chairpersons in the Panchayats at

the village or any other level are also reserved for the
Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes, and women.
The State Legislature can provide the manner in
which these reservations are made.

The reservation of seats and offices of Chairpersons

(other than the reservation for women) will cease to
 have effect after the expiration of the period specified
in article 334.
2.What is writ petition?
A writ petition is a formal request filed in a higher court to
seek judicial intervention and remedy for violations of
fundamental rights or legal issues.
In Indian law, a writ petition is typically filed in the High
Court or the Supreme Court.
A writ is a formal, legal document that orders a person or
entity to perform or to cease performing a specific action or
deed. There are five types of writs in the Indian Constitution:
Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, Certiorari, Quo Warranto,
Prohibition.
The Supreme Court has the authority to issue a writ against
the government or a person who is in the territory of India. A
High Court can only issue a writ against the government or
a person who lies in the jurisdiction of such a High Court.
3.Powers and constitutional status of panchayats?
The Panchayati Raj system of local self-government was
given constitutional status in India by the 73rd
Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. The Act came into
force on April 24, 1993.
The Act added Part IX to the Constitution, "The Panchayats".
Part IX contains Article 243 to Article 243 O. The Act also
added the Eleventh Schedule, which consists of 29 functional
items of the panchayats.
The Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) was constitutionalized
to build democracy at the grass roots level and was entrusted
with the task of rural development in the country.
Q. What is the need of local government?
The purpose of local government is to provide an organized
system where councils can work together for peace, order,
and good governance.
Local governments also:
• Provide democratic and accountable government
for local communities
• Ensure the provision of services to communities in a
sustainable manner
• Promote social and economic development
• Promote a safe and healthy environment
 • Build and maintain community assets
• Promote agricultural development
• Promote social forestry and animal husbandry, dairy,
and poultry
• Promote the development of village industry
• Reduce the work of central and state government
• Provide training of administration to the people at
lower levels
Q. How does local government strengthen democracy?
Local governments can strengthen democracy in several
ways, including:
• Promoting citizen participation
Local governments allow citizens to participate in decision-
making about their lives, needs, and development.
• Ensuring accountability
Local governments are accountable for local decisions and
the implementation of national ones.
• Fostering diversity and inclusivity
Local governments can provide reservations for
marginalized groups to ensure their representation.
• Delivering essential services
Local governments can remove the burden of governance
from central and state governments and provide quicker
solutions.
• Ensuring transparency
Local governments can promote democratic thoughts and
education.
• Ensuring political representation
Local governments ensure the political representation of
citizens at the local level.
Q.