The Panchayati Raj System as stipulated by the 73rd Amendment Act has the three tier structure:
(i) Gram Panchayat at the village level
(ii) Panchayat Samiti at the block level
(iii)Zilla Parishad at the district level
This in general is the structure of the Panchayat Raj System in India. A District Panchayat or Zilla Parishad is co terminus with the district. Each district has one Zilla Parishad. Similarly Block Panchayats or Panchayat Samitis are co terminus with blocks of the said district. A Block may have several villages within it, but Gram Panchayats are not necessarily to terminus with each village. Depending on the size of population (as a matter fact, number of voters) a Gram is defined under the law with a specific geographical area,
which may consist of a single village or a cluster of adjoining villages.
(a) Zilla Panchayat: Each block panchayat under a Zilla Parishad elects one/ two/ three members directly (depending on number of voters within it). Presidents of all the Block Panchayats are also ex-officio members of the Zilla Parishad. In some states the member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and Member of Parliament (MP) of the district/ Constituency are also ex – officio members.
(b) Panchayat Samiti: Each Gram Panchayat under a Block Panchayat elects one/ two/ three members directly to the Block Panchayat. Gram Panchayat Pradhans are ex – officio members of the Block Panchayats.
(c) Gram Panchayat: A Gram as defined under the Act (meaning a village or a cluster of villages) is divided into a minimum of five constituencies. From each of these constituencies one member is elected. Body of these elected members is called the Gram Panchayat. Size of the Gram Panchayat varies widely from state to state. In states like West Bengal, Kerala, etc. a Gram Panchayat has about 20,000 people on an average, while in many other states it is around 3000 only.
Being connected to grass – root people, the Panchayats and the elected representatives have the feel of ground realities, sufferings of people and local conditions. The effectiveness of providing services through local bodies cannot be over – emphasized as they know their real requirements, and are familiar with every nook and corner of the village and, above all, they are answerable to the people. The involvement of Panchayats ensures greater transparency in working and fund utilization than when execution is carried out by state agencies. Thus, Panchayati Raj System has helped strengthening of the Indian democracy.
