Q2. Why are they important in governance and democracy?

Urban local bodies are important in governance and democracy because they are a mechanism for citizens to come together and make decisions about what is best for them. They provide a platform for active participation in the country's functioning at the urban level. They are a form of participatory democracy where citizens can have their voices heard and representatives are elected to act on their behalf.

Q3. Why is a city like Kolkata, Chennai or Mumbai more complex and diverse than a village or a town?

A city is generally more complex and diverse than a village or town. This is because cities have a larger and more varied population, leading to a more complex urban governance system. The population of a city includes people from diverse communities, professions, and backgrounds, making governance more challenging than in a less diverse village setting.

Q4. With your classmates, make a list of diverse communities residing in any city that you are familiar with. How many were you able to list? What else do you observe in the list?

(This is an activity-based question. The answer will vary based on the city chosen. A sample answer for a city like Delhi could include: people from different states of India (e.g., Punjabis, Bengalis, Tamils), different religious communities (e.g., Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians), and various professional groups (e.g., students, labourers, IT professionals, artists). The observation could be about the co-existence of these diverse groups and the challenges/opportunities that arise from it.)

Q5. In Fig. 12.2 above, what similarities and differences do you notice between the Panchayati Raj system and the urban local government?

Based on Fig. 12.2 on page 175 of the PDF:

• Similarities:Both the Panchayati Raj system (rural) and urban local bodies (urban) are part of the local government, which is the base of the governance pyramid, closest to the people. Both systems have a tiered structure with different levels of governance (e.g., Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha in rural areas, and Municipal Corporation/Council and Ward Committee in urban areas).
• Differences:The names of the bodies differ; for example, rural areas have Zila Panchayat and Gram Panchayat, while urban areas have Municipal Corporations or Municipal Councils. Rural governance involves the Gram Sabha, which is a body of all eligible voters in a village, while urban governance operates through Ward Committees.

Q6. Can you think of four or five more actions that responsible citizens might take to help their area of the city?

(This is an open-ended question that encourages critical thinking. Possible actions include):

• Reporting potholes or damaged roads to the authorities.
• Participating in local cleanup drives or tree-planting campaigns.
• Ensuring proper waste segregation at home.
• Paying local taxes and fines on time to support the urban local body's funding.
• Volunteering for community activities organized by the ward committee, such as health camps or awareness campaigns.

Q7. How do urban local bodies fund their activities? (Hint: Look carefully at the pictures of the functions performed by Indore Municipal Corporation in Figure 12.4 on page 178.) Are some of them paid services?

Based on the images in Fig. 12.4, urban local bodies fund their activities through various means, including collecting taxes and fees for services. Yes, some of them are paid services. Examples include:

• Taxes: Property tax.
• Fees/Charges: Water charges, business and trade licenses, and fees for services like a marriage certificate, fire services, various other licenses, and water tanker/debris clearance services.
• Fines: The text also mentions the collection of local fines.

Q8. Select a few cities, from your State and from a few neighbouring States. These may include the city you live in or the city nearest to your town or village. How will you find out if they have a Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council or Municipal Corporation? Draw a table with the names of the cities and the type of urban local body each of them has.

(This is a research-based question.) A student would need to:

1. Select a few cities.
2. Find out their population.
3. Refer to the population criteria mentioned in the text:
   • Municipal Corporation (Mahanagar Nigam): population above 10 lakhs.
   • Municipal Council (Nagar Palika): population between 1 lakh and 10 lakhs.
   • Nagar Panchayat: smaller populations.
4. Create a table with columns for "City Name," "Population (Approx.)," and "Urban Local Body."

Q9. In urban areas, decentralised governance works through different urban local bodies, which fulfil various functions affecting the citizens’ lives. As with the rural context, members who represent the local citizens.
The citizens also have duties to ensure that the local bodies are able to perform their functions efficiently. On your way to school, you and your friends notice that a water pipe is leaking. A lot of water is being wasted on account of the leak. What would you and your friends do in such a situation?

In this situation, the responsible action would be to promptly report the water leakage to the relevant authorities or the urban local body. Students could:

1. Call the local water department or municipal corporation's helpline number.
2. Report the issue on a municipal app or website, if available.
3. Inform a member of their Ward Committee.
4. Tell their parents or a teacher so they can help report the problem.

Q10. Invite a member of an urban local body near you to your class. Discuss with them their role and responsibilities. Prepare a set of questions to ask them so that the meeting is fruitful.

(This is a project-based question. A sample set of questions could be):

1. What are your main responsibilities in this ward/area?
2. How do you collect feedback and complaints from citizens?
3. What is the biggest challenge you face in your work?
4. How can students like us help make our city a better place?
5. What are the major projects currently underway in our area?

Q11. Discuss with adult members of your family and neighbourhood, and make a list of their expectations from the urban local bodies.

(This answer will be based on interviews. Common expectations might include):

• Regular garbage collection and effective waste management.
• Maintenance of roads and street lights.
• Availability of clean drinking water.
• Proper drainage and sewage systems.
• Security and safety in the neighbourhood.
• Timely response to complaints.

Q12. Make a list of characteristics of a good urban local body.

A good urban local body would have the following characteristics:

• Efficient:It would perform its functions like garbage collection, infrastructure maintenance, and tax collection effectively.
• Responsive:It would promptly address citizen complaints and issues, such as water leaks or blocked drains.
• Accountable:It would be transparent about its operations, budget, and plans for the area's development.
• Participatory:It would encourage citizen involvement and feedback in decision-making.
• Well-funded:It would have a system for collecting local taxes and fines to support its activities.

Q13. What are the similarities and differences between the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas and the urban local bodies?

(This is a repeat of Question 5, but provides an opportunity for a more detailed comparative answer).

• Similarities:Both systems are forms of local government and are part of a decentralized governance structure in India. They both have elected representatives who work to address the needs of the local community. Both are at the base of the governance pyramid, closest to the people, and aim to foster participatory democracy.
• DifferencesIt would have a system for collecting local taxes and fines to support its activities.
  • Area of Operation: The Panchayati Raj system operates in rural areas, while urban local bodies function in urban areas.
  • Structure/Names:The names of the bodies differ based on their population. Panchayati Raj has tiers like Gram Panchayat and Zila Panchayat, while urban bodies have Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats.
  • Functioning: The specific functioning and issues addressed can vary. For example, a village Panchayat may deal with agricultural issues, while a Municipal Corporation focuses on urban infrastructure like traffic management and city planning.