Exercises
Question 1:
What problem did the villagers in Hardas village face? What did they do to solve this problem?
Solution 1:
The problems faced by the villagers of Hardas are:
- Shortage of water
- Women had to go to 3 Km away from the village to river Suru to get water
- Hand pump water level has gone down regular level The solutions they found are:
- Piping water from the River Suru
- Deepen the Handpumps
- Final solution they found of conserving the water
Question 2:
What, in your opinion, is the importance of the Gram Sabha? Do you think all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings? Why?
Solution 2:
Gram Sabha is a great importance as:
- They elect the members of Gram Panchayat.
- They can keep a check on Gram Panchayat.
- Problems and solutions can be discussed in the meeting Yes all members should attend Gram Sabha meetings as daily problems can be discussed and solutions can be found in the meetings. Moreover the welfare programs can be discussed.
Question 3:
What is the link between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Solution 3:
- Gram Sabha elect the members of Gram Panchayat.
- Gram Panchayat is answerable to Gram Sabha.
- Gram Sabha keep a check on the deeds of the members of Gram Panchayat.
Question 4:
Take an example of any one task done by a Panchayat in your area/nearby rural area and find out the following:
a. Why it was taken up.
b. Where the money came from.
c. Whether or not the work has been completed.
Solution 4:
Permanent solution of shortage of water.
a. Acute shortage of water in village Rampur.
b. Major parts came from the funds from government and minor was given by taxes collected by Gram Panchayat.
c. The work was completed. Two ponds were deepened. Arrangements were made to flow rain water into the ponds.
Question 5:
What is the difference between a Gram Sabha and a Gram Panchayat?
Solution 5:
Gram Panchayat: Its members are elected be the people of the village.
Gram Sabha: It is the meeting of Gram Panchayat. All adults are the members of Gram Sabha.
Question 6:
Read the following news item.
Nimone is a village on the Chaufula-Shirur Road. Like many others, this village has also been facing a severe water shortage for the last few months and villagers depend on tankers for all their needs. Bhagwan Mahadev Lad (35) of this village was beaten with sticks, iron rods and axes by a group of seven men. The incident came to light when some villagers brought a badly injured Lad to hospital for treatment. In the FIR recorded by the police Lad said that he was attacked when he insisted that the water in the tanker must be emptied into the storage tanks constructed as part of the water supply scheme by Nimone Gram Panchayat so that there would be equal distribution of water. However, he alleged that the upper caste men were against this and told him that the tanker water was not ,neant for the lower castes.
Adapted from Indian Express, May 1, 2004
a. Why was Bhagvan beaten?
b. Do you think that the above is a case of discrimination? Why?
Solution 6:
a. Bhagvan was beaten as he has told to empty the tanker in the storage tank.
b. Yes, it is the clear cut case of discrimination as the higher caste people do not want to give the comfort to the lower caste people. They do not want to give even the basic need i.e. water to the lower caste people.