Our Government – CBSE NCERT Study Resources

The Municipal Corporation is a part of the local government that manages cities with large populations. It plays a key role in the development of urban areas like Riya's city. Here are its main functions:

• Providing basic services: It supplies clean drinking water, electricity, and maintains roads and streetlights.
• Waste management: The Corporation collects garbage and ensures proper disposal to keep the city clean.
• Health and sanitation: It runs hospitals, clinics, and vaccination programs to keep citizens healthy.
• Education: It manages primary schools and ensures children get quality education.

By performing these duties, the Municipal Corporation ensures a better quality of life for residents like Riya.

The President of India is the head of the state and symbolizes the unity of the country. Here’s why this role is important:

• Ceremonial duties: The President represents India in international meetings and ceremonies.
• Appointing leaders: The President appoints the Prime Minister and other key officials to run the government.
• Signing laws: No law can be passed without the President's approval, ensuring checks and balances.
• Commander-in-Chief: The President is the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces.

Though the President does not make daily decisions, this role ensures the government functions smoothly and upholds the Constitution of India.

Elections in India are a way for citizens like Priya to choose their leaders and participate in democracy. Here’s how they work:

• Voting process: Citizens aged 18 and above vote to elect representatives like MPs and MLAs.
• Fair competition: Different political parties campaign and present their ideas to the public.
• Secret ballot: Voting is private, so people can choose freely without fear.

Elections are important because:

• They ensure leaders are accountable to the people.
• They give every citizen, including Priya, a voice in governance.
• They uphold the principle of equality by allowing everyone to vote.

Through elections, India remains a strong and vibrant democracy.

The services Riya observed are managed by the local government, specifically the municipality or municipal corporation.

Two other functions of the local government include:

• Maintaining public facilities like parks, street lights, and roads.
• Providing sanitation and waste management services to keep the area clean.

Local governments play a crucial role in our daily lives by ensuring basic amenities and services are accessible to citizens.

The midday meal scheme is important because:

• It provides nutritious food to students, helping them stay healthy and focused in school.
• It encourages children, especially from underprivileged backgrounds, to attend school regularly.

This scheme is implemented by the state government with support from the central government. It ensures that no child goes hungry while promoting education.

The central government is responsible for matters of national importance, such as:

• Defense, foreign affairs, and maintaining unity among all states.
• Creating laws and policies for the entire country.

One example of a central government decision affecting all states is the implementation of GST (Goods and Services Tax), which standardized tax rules across India. This ensures fairness and smooth trade between states.

Elections are like a big vote where citizens choose their leaders. They are important because:

• They allow people to pick representatives who will work for them.
• They ensure no single person or group can hold power forever.
• They give everyone an equal chance to vote, making the government fair.

In India, elections are held every 5 years. For example, when we vote for MPs (Members of Parliament), we are choosing who will make laws for us. The Election Commission ensures elections are free and fair. This keeps our democracy strong.

The Local Government is the third level of government in India and works closest to the people. It includes Municipalities in urban areas and Panchayats in rural areas.

For example, a Municipal Corporation takes care of:

• Providing clean drinking water
• Maintaining roads and street lights
• Collecting garbage and keeping the city clean
• Running primary schools and health centers

The Parliament is the supreme law-making body in India. Here's how it makes laws:

Step 1: A bill (draft law) is introduced in either house - Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.
Step 2: The bill is discussed and debated by members of Parliament.
Step 3: If approved by both houses, it goes to the President for approval.
Step 4: After the President signs it, the bill becomes a law.

For example, the Right to Education Act was passed this way to ensure free education for all children aged 6-14 years. The Parliament also reviews old laws and can change them if needed.

Elections are the backbone of our democratic government. Here's why they are so important:

• They allow citizens to choose their own leaders through voting.
• Elections ensure that no single person or group can hold power forever.
• They give equal opportunity to all citizens aged 18+ to participate in governance.
• Through elections, people can remove leaders who don't work properly.

The Gram Panchayat is the local government body at the village level. It plays a crucial role in rural development by:

• Maintaining basic infrastructure like roads, drains, and water supply.
• Organizing health and sanitation programs to keep the village clean.
• Implementing government schemes for education, agriculture, and welfare.
• Solving local disputes and ensuring peace in the community.

The Gram Panchayat also collects small taxes to fund these activities, making it a key part of democratic governance at the grassroots level.

The Constitution of India is like a rulebook for the government. It ensures:

• The government works in a fair and democratic way, with powers divided among the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.
• It guarantees fundamental rights like equality, freedom, and education to all citizens.
• It defines the duties of the government, such as providing healthcare and protecting the environment.

Without the Constitution, the government might misuse its power, and citizens could lose their rights. It is the supreme law of India.

Elections are the backbone of democracy. Here’s how they work:

• Citizens vote to choose their leaders, like MPs and MLAs, who represent them in the government.
• The Election Commission ensures elections are free and fair, without cheating or bias.
• Leaders are elected for a fixed term, after which new elections are held.

Elections are important because:

• They give power to the people to decide who governs them.
• They hold leaders accountable for their actions.
• They ensure equal participation of all citizens, rich or poor.

Without elections, democracy would not exist.