Civic Duties and Responsibilities
As participants in the system of governance, citizens have certain rights, and it is necessary to ensure that these rights are provided to them properly and without delay. Actions contrary to these rights should be prevented, and responsible exercise of civic rights should be ensured.
Citizens also have certain duties and responsibilities towards society and the nation. These are collectively referred to as civic duties. It is the duty of a responsible citizen to voluntarily fulfil these duties.
Article 51A of the Constitution of India (1976)
- To respect and uphold the Constitution and the fundamental values of the nation, refrain from acts of disrespect or violation, and uphold the ideals and values of the national freedom struggle.
- To protect, preserve, and refrain from damaging public property.
- To preserve historical and cultural heritage.
- To protect natural resources, forests and wildlife, and maintain ecological balance.
- To uphold and promote the dignity and status of women and oppose actions and practices that are discriminatory or harmful to women.
- To reject superstition and social evils, develop scientific temper, scientific awareness and humanism, and strive towards individual and social excellence.
- To uphold the sovereignty, unity and integrity of the nation; promote communal harmony and a spirit of fraternity; and be prepared to render national service when required.
Panchayat Raj Acts (1994, 1999)
The Panchayat Raj legislation defines the duties and responsibilities of citizens residing within a Grama Panchayat area. Every person residing within a Grama Panchayat area, as a citizen of the Panchayat, is expected to fulfil the following responsibilities:
- Participate in the Grama Sabha, take part directly in the local governance process, and thereby contribute to meaningful 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 fraudulent practices or attempts to evade taxation.
- Support the Panchayat in development activities and contribute to the mobilization of individual, material and financial resources, as well as voluntary labour.
- Participate actively in planning, implementation and evaluation of development programmes.
- Avoid causing public nuisance, obstruction to public life, dumping of waste in public places, and similar activities, and remain vigilant against such practices.
- Cooperate with the Panchayat in implementing activities related to sanitation, disease prevention, nutritional programmes, literacy, legal awareness and dispute-resolution processes.
- Contribute to making the social audit process effective and meaningful.
- Engage in activities that promote social harmony and participatory development and oppose fundamentalism and divisive tendencies.
- Remain vigilant against corruption and maladministration in accordance with law and help ensure the democratic functioning of Local Self-Government.
- Cooperate in the protection of natural resources and public transport systems and refrain from their misuse or exploitation.
- Promote and practise thrift, avoid extravagance and excessive consumption, and encourage self-help initiatives and community participation.
- Stand against social evils such as alcoholism, drug abuse, dowry, violence against women, child labour, and discrimination or atrocities against disadvantaged sections of society.
- Participate in environmental awareness activities and contribute to maintaining ecological balance.
- Cooperate in the accurate collection, compilation and consolidation of statistical information. Do not provide false information or encourage others to do so.
- Assist in protecting and supporting people affected by natural disasters.
- Develop habits of cooperation and savings.
- Cooperate in providing land required for development purposes and refrain from unauthorised occupation of public land.
- Organise neighbourhood groups, self-help groups and mutual-aid groups.
- Avoid anti-social behaviour in public places and on roads, such as spitting, open defecation or urination, drinking alcohol and smoking.
- Do not slaughter animals openly in public places. Meat and meat waste should not be displayed or sold in an open or unhygienic manner.
Ensure that pet animals, domestic animals and birds receive all necessary vaccinations and obtain the required licences.
