Question 1

What is meant by the term composite culture?

Answer

The term composite culture refers to the culture that developed due to the interaction of the Turks and the
Indians. This culture was neither purely Persian nor entirely Indian, but a fusion of the best elements of the
two. This culture is also known as Indo-Islamic culture.

Question 2

Mention any two factors which promoted composite culture during the Mughal Age.

Answer

Two factors which promoted composite culture during the Mughal Age are:

1. The immense wealth and the unlimited power in the hands of the Mughal emperors enabled them to
continue their patronage of fine arts and literature. They used their wealth to build palaces, forts and
monuments.
2. The glorious and rich culture heritage of the Mughals on the one hand and Indians on other hand,
created a unique atmosphere for the brilliant output of letters and fine arts.

Question 3

What is Bijak? Name any two sections into which Bijak is divided.

Answer

The Bijak is the compilation of the verses of Kabir. Kabir was an oral poet, whose works were written by
others. The Bijak is preserved by the Kabirpanthis (the followers of Kabir) in Varanasi and elsewhere in
Uttar Pradesh.

Two sections into which Bijak is divided are:

1. Sakhi — composed in Doha or couplet form.

2. Ramaini — written in the form of chaupai and is usually based on musical raga.

Question 4

Enumerate any two teaching of Kabir, according to the Bijak.

Answer

Two teaching of Kabir, according to the Bijak are:

1. There is only one God. He may be worshipped under many names.

2. Devotion to God and good actions are only means of salvation.

Question 5

Who compiled Guru Granth Sahib? Why is it called the living Guru?

Answer
Guru Granth Sahib was compiled by the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh.

Guru Granth Sahib is known as the living Guru because it is considered as a spiritual guide for the entire
humanity and one can find in it all the answers regarding religion and morality.

Question 6

Which Sufi Saint's tomb is enshrined in the Ajmer Sharief Dargah? What was his main belief?

Answer

Ajmer Sharief is the holy shrine of the sufi saint, Khwajah Moinuddin Chishti.

The main beliefs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti were achieving oneness with God, devotion to the Divine,
leading a pure life, showing compassion and charity for the helpless and poor.

Question 7

Mention any two doctrines of the Bhakti cult.

Answer

Two doctrines of the Bhakti cult are:

1. God is one. He must be worshipped with love and devotion.

2. Guru, an enlightened teacher, is indispensable for realising God.

Question 8

What is meant by Sufism? Name one sufi saint.

Answer

Sufism was a movement by Islamic sect that preached religious tolerance, brotherhood and oneness of God.
The word 'Sufi comes from arabic word Suf meaning wool and was used for the mystics who used to wear
only a coarse woollen garment.

Khwajah Moinuddin Chishti was one of the Sufi saints.

Question 9

Mention any two doctrines of Sufism.

Answer

The two doctrines of Sufism are:

1. Individual soul is the manifestation of the supreme God and human soul will finally merge with it.
2. Fundamental unity of all religions.

Question 10

Write a short note on the life of St. Francis Xavier.

Answer
St. Francis Xavier was born on April 7, 1506 in the castle of Xavier in Spain. After completing his studies
and working as teacher for sometime, St. Xavier displayed zeal and charity in attending to the sick in
hospitals. In 1537, he became a priest. In 1541, he started his missionary journey towards India and landed
at Goa in 1542. He spent the first five months in preaching and attending to the sick in hospitals. He worked
relentlessly for ten years in India, and preached essentials of christianity. He died on December 2, 1552,
when he was on a sea voyage to China. His mortal remains were brought back and reached Goa after a
whole year. It is said that when the body reached India, after a whole year, it was still fresh as it was on the
day of burial. The body of St. Francis Xavier is still enshrined in the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Goa.

Structured Questions

Question 1

With reference to the sources of composite culture in India, state the significance of the following:

(a) Bijak

(b) Guru Granth Sahib

(c) Ajmer Sharief

Answer

(a) Bijak — Bijak is the compilation of verses of Kabir. Kabir was an oral poet, whose works were written
by others. The Bijak is preserved by Kabirpanthis (the followers of Kabir) in Varanasi and elsewhere in
Uttar Pradesh. Bijak comprises three main sections called Sakhi, Ramaini and Shabda and a fourth section
containing miscellaneous folk song forms. According to Bijak, Kabir taught that there is only one God who
is worshipped under many names. Kabir denounced idol worship, empty rituals, meaningless ceremonies
and pilgrimage. Bijak presents Kabir's compositions in a simple style and exhorts his listeners to shed their
delusions, pretensions and orthodox views in favour of direct experience of truth.

(b) Guru Granth Sahib — It is the only scripture of its kind which contains the songs, hymns and
utterances of a wide variety of saints, sages and bards. This shows that Guru Arjan Dev wanted to affirm the
fundamental unity of all religions and the unitary character of all mystic experience. It is indeed, a
magnificent compendium of religions, mystic and metaphysical poetry written or uttered between the 12th
and the 17th century in different parts of India. It is also at the same time, a mirror of the sociological,
economical and political conditions of those days.

(c) Ajmer Sharief — Ajmer Sharief is the holy shrine of the sufi saint, Khwajah Moinuddin Chishti, located
at Ajmer in Rajasthan. The Dargah of Khwajah Moinuddin Chishti is one of the most revered sites in India
not only for the Muslims but also for the people of other faiths, who hold the saint in high esteem. Every
year thousands of people visit Ajmer Sharief to pay reverence at the sanctified dargah. A yearly carnival,
known as Urs is held for six days in the honour of the beloved saint.

Question 2

Sufism was a liberal reform movement within Islam. With reference to Sufism, write short notes on the
following:

(a) Devotion to God

(b) Caste distinctions

(c) Unity of all religions

Answer
(a) Devotion to God — Sufi saints like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Hazrat Nizamuddin, stressed love
and good actions as means of realising God. According to Sufism one can reach God through personal
devotion and not through empty rituals. The Doctrines of Sufism include that individual soul is
manifestation of the Supreme God and human soul would finally merge with it. Also inner purity and self-
discipline are essential for gaining the knowledge of God.

(b) Caste distinctions — Sufism was a liberal reform movement which created an atmosphere on which
liberal sentiments and views could grow and narrowness of cast and religion was shunned. Equality and
brotherhood of all human beings irrespective of caste, colour, creed was emphasised. Sufism basically freed
people from the holds of age old rigid caste system.

(c) Unity of all religions — Sufism believed in fundamental unity of all religions. It insisted that the God is
one and only he is worshipped under different names. They shunned all the rituals of different religions as
according to them one can reach the God through personal devotion and not through empty rituals. Sufism
fostered the feelings of Hindu-Muslim unity. It played a great role in promoting feelings of tolerance among
the rulers. People, irrespective of their religion, began to understand and appreciate others' faith.

Question 3

Summarise the impact of the Bhakti movement with regard to:

(a) Equality of all human beings.

(b) Fostering unity and harmony between different communities.

(c) Promoting regional languages and devotional literature.

Answer

(a) Equality of all human beings — Bhakti saints preached universal brotherhood and emphasised equality
of all men. The teachings of Kabir, Guru Nanak, Ravidas helped reform Indian society. They tried to evolve
a new social order by following the principle of equality and by denouncing caste distinctions. By exposing
the futility of empty rituals, they did away with the domination of priests. Thus, the Bhakti movement
brought in social changes.

(b) Fostering unity and harmony between different communities —The Bhakti movement played an
important role in fostering Indo-Islamic culture. The Bhakti movement emphasised the essential unity of
Islam and Hinduism, and laid stress on a religion based on love and devotion rather than one based on
rituals. Thus, they created an atmosphere in Which liberal sentiments and views could grow and religious
narrowness was shunned. They preached that the God is one and only the ways of worshipping him are
different. The God must be worshipped with love and devotion.

(c) Promoting regional languages and devotional literature — The Bhakti movement played an important
role in promoting regional languages and devotional literature. The Bhakti saints preached in the language of
people. Languages like Hindi, Bhojpuri, Maithili and Oriya became popular. Among important literary
works of this period were Ramcharit Manas by Tulsidas, Gurmukhi literature of the Sikh Gurus and the
Vaishnava literature in Bengal. The local languages became even more popular by Bhakti saints like Mira
Bai and Sant Janeshwar.

Question 4

With reference to the influence of Christianity during the Mughal period, answer the following question:

(a) Explain the role played by St. Francis Xavier in spreading Christianity in India.

(b) How did the missionaries bring Europeans closer to Indians?

(c) Explain the role of Christian missionaries in promoting language, literature and art in India.

Answer

(a) St. Francis Xavier arrived in India in 1542. He spent the first five months in preaching and attending to
the sick in hospitals. He would go through the streets ringing a little bell and inviting the children to hear the
word of God. When he had gathered a large number of people, he would take them to a church and explain
the beliefs related to Christianity to them. During the six years that St. Xavier had been working in India,
other Jesuit missionaries had arrived in Goa. In 1584, he sent these missionaries to the principal centres of
India, where he has established missions. He worked relentlessly for ten years in India, and preached
essentials of Christianity.

(b) The missionaries in order to understand and to be understood by the Indian people brought out grammars
and dictionaries of the Indian languages. The missionaries began teaching Western music, dance and
instrumental music in Church schools in India. The missionaries and the Church were also teachers and
patrons in India of the arts of paintings, carving and sculpture. The religious paintings of the Churches
influenced the Mughals. Portuguese, English and Mughal records show the interest of Akbar and Jahangir in
Christian works of arts. The Portuguese Church provided the earliest introduction to European architectural
ideas in India. The Missionaries were the best interpreters of India to the Western World with their popular
letters from the mission field. All these works of the missionaries brought the Indians and Europeans closer.

(c) The Missionaries, in order to establish effective communication with Indian people, brought out
grammars and dictionaries of the Indian languages. St. Francis Xavier learnt the language of Malabar and
brought out a manual of grammar and a vocabulary which helped the Jesuits and other missionaries to learn
the language of the people of Malabar. The English Jesuit, Thomas Stephens, brought out an epic in
Konkani and a grammar book. Diogo Ribeiro, another English missionary, wrote a grammar book and
booklets on Christian doctrines. The missionaries began teaching Western music, dance and instrumental
music in Church schools in India. The Missionaries and the Church were also teachers and patrons in India
of the arts of painting, carving and sculpture. The religious paintings of the Churches influenced the
Mughals. The Portuguese Church provided the earliest introduction to European architectural ideas in India.
This included the long, two-storeyed house, with high-pitched roof, balconies and verandas, many windows
and elaborately carved walls.

Question 5With reference to the pictures given alongside, answer the following:

(a) Name the Bhakti Saints given in the pictures. Where were they born?
(b) How did the Sufi and the Bhakti movements foster the growth of Indo-Islamic culture
(c) Mention any two teachings of each of these two saints.
Answer

(a) The Bhakti Saints given in the pictures are Kabir and Guru Nanak. Kabir was born in Benaras (Varanasi)
and Guru Nanak was born in Talvandi (now known as Nankana Sahib), in the state of Punjab (Pakistan).

(b) A number of sufi and bhakti saints emphasised the essential unity of Islam and Hinduism. They laid
stress on a religion based on love and devotion rather than one based on rituals. Thus, they created an
atmosphere in which liberal sentiments and views could grow and religious narrowness was shunned. In
these ways, the Sufi and the Bhakti movements played an important role in fostering growth of Indo-Islamic
culture.

(c) The two teachings of Kabir were:

1. There is only one God. He may be worshipped under many names.

2. Devotion to God and good actions are the only means of salvation.

The two teachings of Guru Nanak were:

1. He preached unity of God and unity of Mankind.

2. He advocated devotion to God in place of ritualism

Civics L5,6.

Differentiate between local government and local self-government unit.

Answer

S.No. Local Government Local self-government

1. Officials are appointed by the state. Representatives are elected.

2. They are salaried. They are not salaried.

They manage activities like sanitation,

elementary
Local government provide certain services to local
3.
people. education and settling disputes;

using government grants.

Question 2

What are the advantages of having local self-government?

Answer

Following are the advantages of having local self-government:

 1. These institution make it possible for local people to take interest in their own affairs and groom
them well to take on larger responsibilities later.
2. The local institutions provide a training ground for local leadership.
3. Local people are best judges of their own needs.
4. It encourages self-help and voluntary service and save the state of many unnecessary expenses.
5. They gain the support of local communities.
6. Through these institutions government can reach ordinary citizens in times of need like National
emergency.
7. They lessen the burden of workload on State and Central Government machinery.

Question 3

Name the three tier institutions of the Panchayati Raj.

Answer

The three tier institutions of the Panchayati Raj are:

1. Gram Panchayats at village level.

2. Panchayat Samiti at block level or middle level.
3. Zila Parishad at district level.

Question 4

What is a Gram Sabha?

Answer

Gram Sabha is the general body of Gram Panchayat. All adult men and women in the village registered as
voters are members of the Gram Sabha.

Question 5

What did the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 provide for in respect of organisation of
Panchayats?

Answer

The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 provides following things in respect of organisation of
Panchayats:

1. To provide three-tier system of Panchayati Raj for all States having population of over 20 lakh.
2. To hold Panchayat elections regularly every five years.
3. To provide reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women.
4. To constitute State Finance Commissions every five years to make recommendations on financial
powers of the Panchayats.
5. To constitute District Planning Committee to prepare draft development plan for the district as a
whole.

Question 6

What was the view of Gandhiji on Panchayats?

Answer
Gandhiji wanted every village to be a republic. His dream translated into reality with the introduction of the
three-tier Panchayati Raj System.

Question 7

Who is the head of the village Panchayat? What is the remuneration of this person?

Answer

Sarpanch is the head of the village Panchayat. He is not paid any salary.

Structured Questions

Question 1

With reference to local self-government in rural areas, answer the following question:

(a) Name important local self-government institutions.

(b) What is the significance of self-government institutions?

(c) Mention any four salient features of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act,1992.

Answer

(a) Important local self-government institutions are:

1. Gram Panchayats at village level.

2. Panchayat Samiti at block level.
3. Zila Parishad at District level.
4. Nyaya Panchayat

(b) The local self-government institutions play an important role in the functioning of democracy at
grassroot level. These institutions provide the foundations on which the entire democratic structure of our
country stands. The local institutions provide a training ground for local leadership. They facilitate active
participation of the local people as an individual can evaluate the performance of the elected representatives.

(c) Four salient features of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act,1992 are:

1. To provide three-tier system of Panchayati Raj for all States having population of over 20 lakh.
2. To hold Panchayat elections regularly every five years.
3. To provide reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women.
4. To constitute State Finance Commissions every five years to make recommendations on financial
powers of the Panchayats.

Question 2

With respect to Panchayati Raj system answer the following questions:

(a) How did the Panchayats come to be set up on a uniform basis all over the country?

(b) Mention any three achievements of the Panchayati Raj System.

(c) What is Nyaya Panchayat? Mention two of its functions.

Answer

(a) The Panchayats came to be set up on a uniform basis all over the country because of the 73rd
Amendment Act which provides three-tier system of Panchayati Raj for all States having population of over
20 lakh. The nomenclature varies from state to state but the basic structure remains a three-tier one starting
with the village at the base, the Panchayat Samiti at the Block level and the Zila Parishad at the District
level.

(b) Three achievements of the Panchayati Raj System are:

1. The Panchayati Raj system ensures effective coordination between government programmes and
those of voluntary agencies.
2. It brings the Government close to people.
3. Jawahar Gram Samridhi Yojna and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme
are implemented through Panchayats all over the country.

(c) Nyaya Panchayats are institutions set up for every three or four Gram Panchayats, which performs
Judicial functions. It exists only in some states.

Following are the two functions of Nyaya Panchayat:

1. They provide quick and inexpensive justice to villagers.

2. They can impose a fine up to Rs. 100 but cannot award a sentence of imprisonment.

Question 3

With reference to Gram Panchayat, state the following:

(a) Its composition.

(b) Its function.

(c) Important office bearers.

Answer

(a) Composition of Gram Panchayat — The Gram Panchayat has Sarpanch, Vice-Sarpanch and 5 to 31
members. (In most of the States, a Village Panchayat has 5 to 9 members.) The Sarpanch is the head of the
Gram Panchayat.

(b) The Gram Panchayat has following functions:

1. Administrative Functions — Some of the administrative functions include:

i. All public welfare works like construction, repair and maintenance of village roads, cart
tracks, bridges, drains, tanks and wells etc.
ii. Upkeep of cremation and burial ground
iii. Sanitation, setting up health centres and dispensaries
iv. Providing primary education
2. Social and Economic Functions — These functions are not obligatory and can be performed
according to the availability of funds. Some of the social and economic functions include:
i. Construction of guest houses, libraries, marriage halls, etc.
ii. Organising regular village melas, fairs and exhibitions
iii. Planting of trees, parks, gardens and playgrounds for recreation.
iv. Establishing fair price Shops, Cooperative Credit society.
3. Judicial Functions — Judicial functions are performed through Nyaya Panchayats. These include:
 i. Quick and inexpensive justice to villagers
ii. They can impose a fine of up to Rs. 100.
iii. They cannot award a sentence of imprisonment.
iv. Lawyers are not allowed to appear before these Panchayats.

(c) Important office bearers — The Sarpanch and Vice-Sarpanch are honorary members. They are not paid a
salary. A paid secretary to the Panchayat and a treasurer, if the Panchayat is large, are appointed by the State
government through the district authorities.

Question 4

With reference to the Panchayat Samiti, answer the following questions:

(a) What is known as the Panchayat Samiti? Who is the head of the Panchayat Samiti? How is he appointed?

(b) State the composition of the Panchayat Samiti.

(c) List four functions of the Panchayat Samiti.

Answer

(a) The intermediate body of the three tier system at the block level is known as Panchayat Samiti.

The Chairperson is the head of the Panchayat Samiti. He is appointed by election from amongst its own
members.

(b) The Panchayat Samiti is composed of:

1. Sarpanchs of all Panchayats concerned.

2. Members of Legislative Assembly of the State from the area.
3. Members of Parliament belonging to the area.
4. Block development officers of the block or the area served by them.
5. Co-opted members (provisional) representing women, Scheduled Castes/Tribes.
6. Representatives of the Cooperative Societies (only in certain States).

(c) Four functions of the Panchayat Samiti are:

1. To supervise and coordinate the working of Gram Panchayats.

2. To conduct higher education (higher secondary level and above) for a group of villages or at block
level.
3. To provide hospital and health services with various facilities at community block level.
4. To provide drinking water and execute other community development programmes.

Question 5

With reference to the Panchayati Raj System answer the following questions:

(a) State the name and composition of the apex body.

(b) Who is the head of the local government at the district level? How is he elected?

(c) List four functions of the apex body.

Answer
(a) Zila Parishad is the Apex body.
Composition of Zila Parishad — The membership varies from 40 to 60 and usually comprises — Deputy
Commissioner of District, Presidents of all Panchayat Samitis in the district and Heads of all Government
Departments in the district; Members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly in the district (as Associate
Members in some States), a representative of each cooperative society (only in some states), some women
and Scheduled Caste members if not adequately represented; and Co-opted members having extraordinary
experience and achievements in public service.

(b) The Chairman is the head of the Zila Parishad. He is elected by the members amongst themselves.

(c) Four functions of the apex body are:

1. Coordination of the working of Panchayat Samitis under it.

2. Recommendation for grants-in-aid for local bodies.
3. Acts as a link between the government and the local bodies.
4. Help in the formulation of various plans.

Question 1

What do you understand by the term urban area?

Answer

The term 'Urban Area' refers to a town or city with minimum population of 5000 and at least 75% of its
population should be engaged in non-agricultural pursuits.

Question 2

Mention any two salient feature of the Constitution (74th Amendment Act), 1992.

Answer

Two salient features of the Constitution (74th Amendment Act), 1992 are:

1. The Act gives constitutional status to urban local bodies.

2. The Act provides for direct election to all the local self-government bodies.

Question 3

How is a Municipal Corporation set up? What are wards in a Municipal area?

Answer

A Municipal Corporation comprises the following:

1. General Council
2. The Mayor
3. The Standing Committees
4. A Municipal Commissioner

The wards are areas in which a Municipal area is divided to hold elections of Municipal Corporation. A
Ward in a Municipal Area is comparable to Constituency of Legislative Assembly.

Question 4
Who is known as the Mayor? State one of the most important functions of the Mayor.

Answer

The Mayor is the chief of Municipal corporation. The Councillors together with Alderman elect among
themselves the Mayor.

Mayor is considered as the 'First Citizen' and he represents the city at various ceremonies and receives
foreign guests coming to visit the city. This is considered his most important duty.

Question 5

Who is known as the 'First Citizen' of the city? Give reason.

Answer

The Mayor is known as the 'First Citizen' of the city because he is the one who represents the city at various
ceremonies and receives foreign guests coming to visit the city.

Question 6

Name one compulsory and one optional function of the Municipal Corporation.

Answer

1. Compulsory function — Provision of electricity, water, sewage disposal.

2. Optional function — Public housing through housing boards.

Question 7

What is the tenure or term of office of a Municipal Corporation?

Answer

Municipal Corporation has a fixed tenure of five years. However, it can be dissolved even before the
completion of its tenure by the Governor of the state on the advice of the Council of Ministers.

Question 8

What is known as Municipal Committee? Who is the head of the Municipal Committee?

Answer

Municipal Committee is a local self government body that is set up for smaller towns. They are smaller than
Municipal Corporation and have three wings — General body, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer.

The Chairman/President is the head of the Municipal Committee.

Question 9

Who is the Chief Executive Officer of a Municipal Committee?

Answer

The Chief Executive Officer of a Municipal Committee is an appointee of the State government who looks
after the administrative wing of the Municipal Committee. He usually belongs to the State Civil Services.
Structured Questions

Question 1

With reference to Municipal Corporation, answer the following questions:

(a) State its composition.

(b) State any three functions of the Mayor.

(c) State any four functions of the Corporation.

Answer

(a) A Municipal Corporation comprises the following:

1. General Council — The General Council is formed of elected members known as Municipal
Councillors. These members are elected directly on the basis of Universal Adult Franchise through
secret ballot.
2. The Mayor — The councillors together with Aldermen elect among themselves the Mayor and the
Deputy Mayor for a period of one year.
3. Standing committee — The members of the General council form different Standing Committees to
deal with subjects like finance, health, engineering, taxation, etc.
4. Municipal Commissioner — He is appointed by the Governor usually for a term of 5 years.

(b) Three functions of the Mayor are:

1. He presides over the meetings of the Corporation.

2. He conducts and regulates business of the Corporation.
3. He fixes the agenda for consideration at meetings of Corporation.

(c) Four functions of the Corporation are:

1. Provision of electricity, water and sewage disposal.

2. Provision of public health services like hospitals, dispensaries, family welfare centres.
3. Provisions of public conveniences and utilities like roads, buildings, bus-shelters, demolition of
dangerous structures, plantation of trees, provision of public urinals and toilets.
4. Maintenance of records of births and deaths and maintenance and upkeep of cremation and burial
grounds.

Question 2

Give the role of each of the following in the Municipal Corporation:

(a) General Council of the Corporation

(b) Standing Committees

(C) Municipal Commissioner

Answer

(a) The General Council of the Corporation plans the project for welfare work. It appoints many other
officials except the Municipal Commissioner.
(b) The members of the General Council are represented on Standing Committees through elections. There
are different Standing Committees to deal with different subjects like finance, health, engineering, taxation
and welfare schemes.

(c) The role of Municipal Commissioner are:

1. To carry on and control the administration of the Corporation

2. To implement the projects and programmes as laid down by the General Council.
3. To maintain and safeguard all municipal properties, records etc.
4. To prepare financial budgets and perform other related functions.
5. To participate in the meetings of the Council and keep records of the minutes and proceedings of the
meetings.

Question 3

With regard to the working of a Municipal Corporation answer the following questions:

(a) Giving three examples, state how compulsory functions are distinguished from optional functions.

(b) What organisational system exists for carrying out these functions

(c) Who is Municipal commissioner? How is he appointed?

Answer

(a) Three examples distinguishing compulsory functions from optional functions are:

Sl.
Compulsory Functions Optional Functions
No.

Provision of public conveniences and utilities

Construction and maintenance of public parks,
like roads, buildings, bus-shelters, demolition
1.
of dangerous structures, plantation of trees, libraries, museums, theatre, akharas, picnic resorts, etc.
provision of public urinals and toilets.

Providing basic amenities like electricity,

2. Public housing through housing boards.
water, sewage disposal.

Undertaking of public safety and security

Undertaking welfare schemes, organising fare
like maintenance of fire department, disaster
3.
like floods and earthquake management functions, melas.
groups, etc.

(b) A Municipal Corporation comprises of General Council, The Mayor, The Standing Committees and A
Municipal Commissioner. The General Council plans the projects and programmes for the city and the
Standing Committees work to implement those plans. Different Standing committees deal with different
subjects like finance, health, engineering, taxation and welfare schemes. The Municipal Commissioner
prepares the financial budgets, takes care of the property and records of corporation and implements all the
projects. The Mayor presides over the meetings and regulates the business of the corporation.

(c) The Municipal Commissioner is the Chief Executive of the corporation. He is appointed by the Governor
for the term of 5 years.
Question 4

With regard to the Municipal Corporation

(a) Distinguish between Municipal Corporation and Municipal Committee.

(b) Describe the three wings of the Municipal Committee.

(c) What is the role of the Deputy Commissioner at the district level?

Answer

(a) The differences between Municipal Corporation and Municipal Committee are:

Sl.
Municipal corporation Municipal Committee
No.

1 These are meant for big cities. These are meant for smaller cities.

The head of the corporation is known as The head of a Municipal Committee is known as
2
Mayor. Chairperson/President.

It has comparatively less powers and fewer sources

It has more powers and more sources of
3
revenue. of revenue.

It deals with the State government through the

4 It deals with the State government directly.
District Administration.

(b) The three wings of the Municipal Committee are:

1. General Body of the Municipal Committee — The members of the General Body of the Municipal
Committee are called Councillors. They are elected from Municipal wards for the term of 5 years.
The number of members depends on the population of the city.
2. Chairman/President — A Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson are elected indirectly by the members
from among themselves. The Chairperson has powers similar to the Mayor.
3. Chief Executive Officer — He is an appointee of the State government and usually belongs to the
State Civil Services. He looks after the administrative wing of the Municipal Committee.

(c) Following are the roles of Deputy Commissioner at District level:

1. Collection of Revenue.
2. Maintenance and Updating of land record.
3. Law and Order.
4. Supervision and execution of all plans of the Union and State governments.
5. Provision of civic amenities and execution of public works.
6. Implementation of policies and programmes in respect of Panchayati Raj institutions.
7. Supersession, dissolution, holding of election, etc., in respect of Panchayati Raj institutions.
.