Panchayati Raj

Development of Panchayati Raj

The Indian government is divided into two parts the local government and the central government. Panchayat is the part of the local government. Panchayati Raj is the government at the village level that takes care of all needs of the villagers. Let us know more!

Suggested Videos

Play
Play
Play
previous arrow
next arrow
previous arrownext arrow
Slider

 

Concept of Gram Sabha

Basically, all the people in a village who are of whatever age and are registered as voters form the concept of a group for the welfare of the village which is known as Gram Sabha. So a meeting of all the adults who live in an area covered by a panchayat is called a Gram Sabha. This could be only one village or few villages.

What Does The Gram Panchayat Comprise of?

Each village is divided into smaller units called Wards. Each ward selects or elects a representative who is known as the Ward Member Or Panch. All the members of the Gram Sabah also elect a Sarpanch who is the president of the Panchayat.

It comprises of the Sarpanch and the Panch which is elected for 5 years. Gram panchayat has a Secretary who is also the secretary of the Gram Sabah. This person is not an elected person but is appointed by the government. He is responsible for calling the meetings of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat and keep a record of the proceedings.

Discussion under Gram Panchayat

In the Gram Panchayat, various issues are discussed like

  • Social issues
  • Water problem
  • BPL benefits
  • Tracking misuse of money, and
  • The undue favour done to a group of people

For example, if a village is having water problem what will be the alternative ways to develop. Different panch will come with different ideas like using the hand pump, checking dams and rainwater harvesting methods, making tube-wells or wells in the village. Now the Gram Sabha will select the best idea and try to work on it.

Thus the Gram Sabha is a key factor in making the gram panchayat to play its role and be responsible. It is the place where all plans for the work of the gram panchayat are placed before the people. Gram Sabha prevents the panchayat from doing wrong things like misuse of money for favouring certain people. It also keeps an eye on the elected representatives and in making them responsible to the persons who elected them.

For example, many people who are below poverty line and really in the need of BPL facilities, many times are not able to avail the facility just because of the corrupt people. At that time by keeping a track on the misuse of money and the undue favour done to certain people, Gram Panchayat plays an important role.

The Work of the Gram Panchayat includes: 

  • Maintenance and construction of water resources, roads, drainage, School buildings and CPR (common property resources).
  • Levy and collect local taxes.
  • Execute government schemes related to employment.

Sources of Fund for Panchayat

  • Collection of taxes on houses, marketplaces
  • Government scheme funds for the betterment of the village received by Janpads and Zila Panchayats.
  • Donations for community works etc.

Hierarchy of Panchayati Raj system

As we saw that panchayat system works as various Ward Sabha or Gram Sabha.  This Gram Sabha is headed by the Gaon Panchayat at village level and looks after the village level responsibilities.

Then we have Anchalik/ Janpad / Block or Panchayat Samiti at the block level. At the block level, we have a BDO officer who looks after a group of villages.

Panchayat

For example, let say if the region is having 10 villages and all those 10 villages are looked after by the Block Development Officer who is in-charge of all these 10 villages and all these 10-gram panchayats are answerable to the Panchayat Samiti.

And finally, we have Zilla Parishad at the district level. All the Block Development Officers are answerable to the Zilla Parishad or the body at the district level. The Zilla Parishad actually makes the developmental plan at the district level with the help of Panchayat Samiti.

Based on the Indian Constitution this panchayat has its own laws. The main idea is to provide more and more space for people to participate and raise their voices in the villages to bring development in the country.

Question For You

Q1. Write the main functions of Gram Panchayat?

Ans: Main functions of the Gram Panchayat are:

  • Maintenance and construction of water resources, roads, drainage, School buildings and CPR (common property resources).
  • Levy and collect local taxes.
  • Execute government schemes related to employment.

Q2. Name the three levels of the Panchayat.

Ans: The three levels are:

  • Gaon Panchayat at the village level
  • Anchalik/ Janpad / Block or Panchayat Samiti at the block level
  • Zilla Parishad at the district level
Share with friends

Customize your course in 30 seconds

Which class are you in?
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
Get ready for all-new Live Classes!
Now learn Live with India's best teachers. Join courses with the best schedule and enjoy fun and interactive classes.
tutor
tutor
Ashhar Firdausi
IIT Roorkee
Biology
tutor
tutor
Dr. Nazma Shaik
VTU
Chemistry
tutor
tutor
Gaurav Tiwari
APJAKTU
Physics
Get Started

Browse

Panchayati Raj
  • Development of Panchayati Raj

6 responses to “Development of Panchayati Raj”

  1. Salam ArunKumar Singh says:

    I wanna to know more details about Panchaty Raj not for exam

  2. Aniket singh says:

    Good lecture

  3. Rahul Beniwal says:

    What do you mean pardhan in gram Panchayat?

  4. Mathew R says:

    How to call Ward members ?? Shall we call them as MC?? If not why ??

  5. It's me says:

    Thanks for the information

  6. Lavkesh Singh says:

    Gram panchayt

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Browse

Panchayati Raj
  • Development of Panchayati Raj

Download the App

Watch lectures, practise questions and take tests on the go.

Customize your course in 30 seconds

No thanks.