Q 1.The highest court and the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution is
(a) The Civil Court
(b) The District Court
(c) The High Court
(d) The Supreme Court
(Chapter 3: The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans: (d) The Supreme Court

Q 2.The basic norm from which all other rules and authorities flow is known as:
(a)Constitution
(b)Supreme Court
(c)Parliament
(d)Government
(chapter 3: The story of Indian democracy)

Ans: (a) Constitution

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Q 3. Explain the ideals of the Panchayati Raj.
(Social Change and Development in India - Chapter 3 :The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Here are few ideals listed of Panchayati Raj:

• The idea is to ensure, the village gets a grass root level democracy.
• In 1992 the grassroots democracy was ushered in by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. This act provided constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• In Panchayati Raj it is compulsory now for local self-government bodies in rural and municipal areas to be elected every five years.
• In Panchayati Raj control of local resources is given to the elected local bodies.
• The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution ensured the reservation of one third of the total seats for women in all elected offices of local bodies in both the rural and urban areas.

Q 4.What are the powers and responsibilities delegated to Panchayats?
(Social Change and Development in India - Chapter 3 :The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
The following powers and responsibilities were delegated to the Panchayats:

• to prepare plans and schemes for economic development
• to promote schemes that will enhance social justice
• to levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls and fees
• help in the devolution of governmental responsibilities, especially that of finances to local authorities

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Q 5.Competing interests do not always reflect clear class divide.Exemplify.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Competing interests operate on the Indian social scene and clamour for control of the State’s resources.
To explain the point “Competing interests do not always reflect clear class divide”, take the example of a factory being closed down because it emits toxic waste that affects the life of people.This case becomes the matter of life which, the Constitution protects. Due to factory closure it will render people jobless.Livelihood again, is a matter of life that the Constitution protects. It is interesting that at the time of drawing up the Constitution, the Constituent Assembly was fully aware of this complexity and plurality but was intent on securing social justice as a guarantee.

Q 6.How interest groups are part and parcel of a functionary democracy? Discuss.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:

• In a democratic system the interests of different groups are represented by political parties.
• Interest Groups are organised to pursue specific interests in the political arena, operating primarily by lobbying the members of legislative bodies.
• Different interest groups will work towards influencing political parties.
• When certain groups feel that their interests are not being taken up, they may move to form an alternative party or they form pressure groups who lobby with the government.
• In some situations, there may be political organisations which seek to achieve power but are denied the opportunity to do so through standard means.
• These organisations are best regarded as movements until they achieve recognition.

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Q 7.Many tribal areas have rich tradition of grass-root democracy.ILlustrate with example.
(chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Many tribal areas have had a rich tradition of grassroot democratic functioning.
We give an illustrative example from Meghalaya.

• All the three major ethnic tribal groups, namely, the Khasis, Jaintias and the Garos have their own traditional political institutions that have existed for hundreds of years.
• These political institutions were fairly well-developed and functioned at various tiers, such as the village level, clan level and state level.
• For instance, in the traditional political system of the Khasis each clan had its own council known as the ‘Durbar Kur’ which was presided over by the clan headman.
• Though there is a long tradition of grassroot political institutions in Meghalaya, a large chunk of tribal areas lie outside the provisions of the 73rd Amendment.
• This may be because the concerned policy makers did not wish to interfere with the traditional tribal institutions.

Q 8.Explain the ideals of the Panchayati Raj.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Here is a list of ideals of Panchayati Raj:

• The main idea is to ensure the village gets a grass root level democracy .
• In 1992 that grassroots democracy was ushered in by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. This act provided constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• It is compulsory now for local self-government bodies in rural and municipal areas to be elected every five years.
• Control of local resources is given to the elected local bodies.
• The 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution ensured the reservation of one third of the total seats for women in all elected offices of local bodies in both the rural and urban areas.

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Q 9.Explain the categories of Democracy.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Democracies fall into two basic categories, direct and representative.
In a direct democracy, all citizens, without the intermediary of elected or appointed officials, can participate in making public decisions. Such a system is clearly only practical with relatively small numbers of people – in a community organisation or tribal council, for example, or the local unit of a trade union, where members can meet in a single room to discuss issues and arrive at decisions by consensus or majority vote.

InRepresentative democracy, the citizens elect officials to make political decisions, formulate laws, and administer programmes for the public good. Ours is a representative democracy. Every citizen has the important right to vote her/his representative. People elect their representatives to all levels from Panchayats, Municipal Boards, State Assemblies and Parliament.

Q 10.What is Participatory democracy?
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Participatory democracy is a system of democracy in which the members of a group or community participate collectively in the taking of major decisions. For example Panchayati Raj System.

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Q 11.Identify the core value of Indian democracy.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Ancient Epics Our ancient epics like Mahabharata, our diverse folk tales from one corner of the country to another are full of dialogues, discussions and contrasting positions. That showcases democracy during that time.

Democracy in Western Countries Society has been aiming to lay a new foundation as was summarised by the French revolution in three words, fraternity, liberty and equality. The French Revolution was welcomed because of this slogan.

The Karachi Resolution The Karachi Resolution reflects a vision of democracy that meant not just formal holding of elections but a substantive reworking of the Indian social structure in order to have a genuine democratic society.

Q 12."Karachi Resolution reflects a vision of democracy." Discuss.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:

• The Karachi Resolution reflects a vision of democracy that meant not just formal holding of elections but a substantive reworking of the Indian social structure in order to have a genuine democratic society.
• The Karachi Resolution clearly spells out the vision of democracy that the nationalist movement in India had.
• It articulates the values that were further given full expression in the Indian Constitution.

Karachi Congress Resolution, 1931 Swaraj as conceived by the Congress should include real economic freedom of the masses. The Congress declares that no constitution will be acceptable to it unless it provides or enables the Swaraj Government to provide for:
1. Freedom of expression, association and meeting.
2. Freedom of religion.
3. Protection of all cultures and languages.
4. All citizens shall be equal before the law.
5. No disability in employment or trade or profession on account of religion, caste or sex.
6. Equal rights and duties for all in regard to public wells, schools, etc.

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Q 13.Why is it useful to understand the difference between law and justice? How does interpretation to laws aid social justice in India?
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Difference between law and justice
It is useful to understand that there is a difference between law and justice. The essence of law is its force. Law is law because it carries the means to coerce or force obedience. The power of the state is behind it. The essence of justice is fairness. Any system of laws functions through a hierarchy of authorities.

Constitutional Norms The basic norm from which all other rules and authorities flow is called the Constitution. It is the document that constitutes a nation’s tenets. The Indian Constitution is India’s basic norm. All other laws are made as per the procedures the Constitution prescribes. These laws are made and implemented by the authorities specified by the Constitution.

Interpretation to laws aid social justice A hierarchy of courts (which too are authorities created by the Constitution) interpret the laws when there is a dispute. The Supreme Court is the highest court and the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution.The Supreme Court has enhanced the substance of Fundamental Rights in the Constitution in many important ways.

Q 14.What are the sources of revenue for the Panchayats?
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
The main income of the Panchayats is from tax levied on property, profession, animals, vehicles, cess on land revenue and rentals.

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Q 15."Constitution has the capacity to help people because it is based on basic norms of social justice." Explain how using an example.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
The Constitution has the capacity to help people because it is based on basic norms of social justice.It has the potential for the meaning of social justice to be extended. Social movements have also aided the Courts and authorities to interpret the contents of rights and principles in keeping with the contemporary understanding of social justice. Law and Courts are sites where competing views are debated. The Constitution remains a means to channelise and civilise political power towards social welfare. For instance, the Directive Principle on village panchayats was moved as an amendment in the Constituent Assembly by K. Santhanam. After forty odd years it became a Constitutional imperative after the 73rd Amendment in 1992.

Q 16.What is panchayati raj system?
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Panchayati Raj translates literally to "Governance by five individuals". The idea is to ensure at the village or grass root level a functioning and vibrant democracy.

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Q 17.Discuss the Social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats include the maintenance of burning and burial grounds, recording statistics of births and deaths, establishment of child welfare and maternity centres, control of cattle pounds, propagation of family planning and promotion of agricultural activities.The development activities include the construction of roads, public buildings, wells, tanks and schools. They also promote small cottage industries and take care of minor irrigation works. Many government schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) are monitored by members of the panchayat.

Q 18.What are Nyaya Panchayats ?
OR
Write a short note on Nyaya Panchayats.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats include the maintenance of burning and burial grounds, recording statistics of births and deaths, establishment of child welfare and maternity centres, control of cattle pounds, propagation of family planning and promotion of agricultural activities.The development activities include the construction of roads, public buildings, wells, tanks and schools. They also promote small cottage industries and take care of minor irrigation works. Many government schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) are monitored by members of the panchayat.

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Q 18.What are Nyaya Panchayats ?
OR
Write a short note on Nyaya Panchayats.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats include the maintenance of burning and burial grounds, recording statistics of births and deaths, establishment of child welfare and maternity centres, control of cattle pounds, propagation of family planning and promotion of agricultural activities.The development activities include the construction of roads, public buildings, wells, tanks and schools. They also promote small cottage industries and take care of minor irrigation works. Many government schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) are monitored by members of the panchayat.

Q 19.Write briefly about the Van Panchayats.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
In Uttarakhand women do most of the work since the men are often posted far away in the defence services. Most of the villagers are still dependent on firewood for cooking.Deforestation is a big problem in the mountainous regions. Women sometimes walk many miles to collect firewood and fodder for their animals. To overcome this problem women have set up van-panchayats. Members of the van-panchayats develop nurseries and nurture tree saplings for planting on the hill slopes. Members also police nearby forests to keep an eye on illegal felling of trees. An example of women movement is the Chipko movement – where women hugged trees to prevent them from being cut and had its beginnings in this area.

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Q 20.Write briefly about Panchayati raj in tribal communities.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:

• Many tribal areas have had a rich tradition of grassroot democratic functioning.
• In Meghalaya, all the three major ethnic tribal groups, namely, the Khasis, Jaintias and the Garos have their own traditional political institutions that have existed for hundreds of years.
• The political institutions were fairly well-developed and functioned at various tiers, such as the village level, clan level and state level.
• Though there is a long tradition of grassroot political institutions in Meghalaya, a large chunk of tribal areas lie outside the provisions of the 73rd Amendment and the reason for this could be that the policy makers did not wish to interfere with the traditional tribal institutions.
• The sociologist Tiplut Nongbri remarks that tribal institutions in themselves need not necessarily be democratic in its structure and functioning.
• As per Nongbri the traditional tribal institutions are appreciable but it fails to take stock of the complexity of the situation.
• Tribal political institutions are not only marked by open intolerance to women but the process of social change has also introduced sharp distortions in the system, making it difficult to identify which is traditional and which is not.

Q 21.What is a political party? Discuss its role in democratic politics.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
A political party may be defined as an organisation oriented towards achieving legitimate control of government through an electoral process. Political Party is an organisation established with the aim of achieving governmental power and using that power to pursue a specific programme.

Role of Political party in Democratic politics.

• Political parties are based on a certain understanding of society and how it ought to be.
• In a democratic system the interests of different groups are also represented by political parties, who take up their case.
• Different interest groups will work towards influencing political parties.
• When certain groups feel that their interests are not being taken up, they may move to form an alternative party Or they form pressure groups who lobby with the government.
• Interest Groups are organised to pursue specific interests in the political arena, operating primarily by lobbying the members of legislative bodies.

................................ Advertisement ................................

Q 22.Elaborate the powers and social welfare responsibilities of the Panchayats.
(Chapter 3 : The Story of Indian Democracy)

Ans:
Powers of Panchayats:

• to prepare plans and schemes for economic development.
• to promote schemes that will enhance social justice.
• to levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls and fees.
• help in the devolution of governmental responsibilities, especially that of finances to local authorities.

Social Welfare Responsibilities:

• maintenance of burning and burial grounds,
• recording statistics of births and deaths,
• establishment of child welfare and maternity centres,
• control of cattle pounds,
• propagation of family planning and promotion of agricultural activities.
• The development activities include the construction of roads, public buildings, wells, tanks and schools. They also promote small cottage industries and take care of minor irrigation works. Many government schemes like the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) are monitored by members of the panchayat.