Civic Duty and Responsibility
Civic Duties and Responsibilities
Chendamangalam Grama Panchayat
The active participation and sense of responsibility of every citizen, along with the activities of the local administration, are essential for the comprehensive development and progress of Chendamangalam Grama Panchayat.
Citizens have the basic responsibility to participate regularly in Gram Sabha meetings and actively contribute to developmental activities. They should also pay property tax and other Panchayat taxes on time.
Citizens also have an important role in keeping their homes and surroundings clean and free from plastic, avoiding the dumping of waste in public places, and protecting drinking-water sources and public property.
As participants in the system of governance, citizens have certain rights. It is necessary to ensure that these rights are made available properly and without discrimination. Actions contrary to these rights should be prevented and responsible civic participation should be promoted.
Citizens also have certain duties and responsibilities towards society and the nation. These are broadly known as civic duties. It is the responsibility of every good citizen to voluntarily uphold and perform these duties.
🇮🇳 Fundamental Duties under Article 51A of the Constitution of India
- To respect and abide by the Constitution and its fundamental values, to avoid disrespect or violation of constitutional principles, and to uphold and promote the ideals of the national freedom struggle.
- To protect and preserve public property and not to destroy or damage it.
- To preserve historical and cultural heritage.
- To protect natural resources, forests and wildlife, and to preserve ecological balance and the environment.
- To protect and promote the dignity and status of women and to oppose practices that are discriminatory or harmful to women.
- To oppose superstitions and harmful social practices, promote scientific temper, scientific awareness and humanism, and strive towards excellence in individual and social life.
- To uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the nation, promote communal harmony and fraternity, and be prepared to render national service when required.
🏛️ Duties and Responsibilities under the Panchayat Raj Act
The Panchayat Raj Act defines the duties and responsibilities of citizens residing within a Grama Panchayat area. Every person residing within the jurisdiction of the Panchayat is expected to perform the following responsibilities as a citizen.
- Participate in Gram Sabha meetings and directly participate in the local governance process, thereby strengthening participatory democracy.
- Prevent tax evasion and pay taxes accurately and on time to ensure the own-source revenue of the local self-government institution. Avoid manipulation or deliberate evasion of taxes.
- Support the Panchayat in development activities and contribute to the mobilisation of physical, financial and human resources.
- Participate actively in planning, implementation and evaluation of development programmes.
- Avoid activities that cause public nuisance, disturbance to public life or dumping of waste in public places, and remain vigilant against such activities.
- Cooperate with the Panchayat in implementing activities relating to sanitation, disease prevention, nutrition, literacy, legal awareness and dispute-resolution processes.
- Help make the social audit process effective and meaningful.
- Participate in activities that promote social unity and participatory development and oppose fundamentalism and divisive activities.
- Remain vigilant against corruption and maladministration in accordance with the law and help ensure democratic functioning of local self-government.
- Cooperate in protecting natural resources and public transport systems and avoid their misuse, exploitation and destruction.
- Promote and practise thrift, avoid unnecessary extravagance and excessive consumption, and encourage self-help and participatory community initiatives.
- Stand against social evils such as alcoholism, drug abuse, dowry, violence against women, child labour and discrimination against disadvantaged sections of society.
- Participate in environmental awareness activities and help maintain ecological balance.
- Cooperate in the accurate collection, compilation and consolidation of statistical information. Do not provide false information and discourage others from doing so.
- Help protect and provide assistance to people affected by natural disasters.
- Develop and practise habits of cooperation and savings.
- Cooperate in making land available for genuine development needs and do not illegally occupy public land.
- Organise neighbourhood groups, self-help groups and mutual-help groups and participate actively in their activities.
- Avoid anti-social behaviour in public places and on roads, including spitting, open defecation, drinking alcohol and smoking in public places.
- Do not slaughter animals openly in public places. Do not display or sell meat and meat waste in an exposed or unhygienic manner.
- Ensure that pet and domestic animals and birds receive necessary vaccinations and that the required licences are obtained.
- Follow all applicable laws, rules and regulations and do not violate, encourage or assist others in violating them.
- Promote gender equality and social justice and participate in activities that support equality between men and women.
