SS CS –

Local self-government
LO – To learn about the Local self-government

Local self-government is called so because people

themselves participate in the government by
electing their own leaders for the government of their area.

Villages Gram Panchayat

Towns Municipality

In villages:

 The head of the village was chosen by the

people of that village.
 This system has evolved over the years.
 The local self-government in India is called
Gram Panchayat.
 Panchayat means council of five.
 The head is known as Sarpanch
 Every member of the village above the age
of 18 years is a member of Gram Sabha.
 Once elected, a panchayat serves for five years.
 Some seats are reserved for women.
 It holds meeting to address issues like
a. Cleanliness
b. Development
c. Disputes between family and people.

In towns and cities:

 In small towns and cities, the municipality
is headed by a chairperson.
 In big cities, the municipal corporation
is headed by a mayor.
 They are all elected by the people of the
city and the town above the age of 18 years.

The following issues are addressed:

 Cleaning
 Construction
 Maintenance
 Providing civic amenities and health centres