1. Composition of Panchayat Samiti: Members who are elected directly by the adult voters of the Panchayati region. Each Panchayat samiti area is divided into wards subject to 15 such constituencies for the population of 1 lakh. 2 more members are elected for 15000 persons and two for the part thereof.
2. Ex-officio members: The legislators and sarpanches of the Panchayat Samiti area are also its members. They can vote in all the meetings of the Panchayat Samiti but cannot take part in the elections of Pradhan and Dy Pradhan as well as their removal by No-confidence proposal.
3. Pradhan and Dy. Pradhan are selected only by the elected members.
4. There is a post of development officer too, who works as an administrative officer and coordinates the working of the employees. Term of the Panchayat Samiti is of five years. Seats are reserved in the Panchayat samiti for the SCs, STs, other backward classes and women.
Functions of Panchayat Samiti :
1. It prepares annual plans for the schemes approved by the state government and Zila Parishad and submits them to the Zila Parishad.
2. It considers and compiles the annual plans of all the Panchayats in the Panchayat Samiti area.
3. It performs all the functions delegated to it by the Zila Parishad.
4. It prepares annual budget of the Panchayat Samiti.
5. It provides assistance during Natural calamities and issues necessary directions to the Panchayats in its area.
2. Small Irrigation and Water Mangement related Functions: Panchayat Samiti helps in the construction and maintenance of small irrigation works, Anicuts, lift irrigation, wells, barrage, etc.
3. Agricultural Production and Expansion related Programmes :
1. It promotes the development of agriculture and horticulture.
2. It cooperates in the distribution of manure and seeds for the maintenance of plant nurseries.
3. It promotes the development of cash crops.
4. It encourages the cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flowers,
5. It helps to get loan for the development of agriculture and arranges training for the farmers.
4. Poverty-Alleviation Functions: For the removal of poverty the Panchayat Samiti introduces many schemes as integrated rural development programme, rural youth self-employment training, maru development programme, SCs and STs development Plans, etc.
5. Cattle Breeding, Dairy, Poultry and fisheries related Functions: Panchayat Samiti attempts to reforms the animal and poultiy breed, promotes fish breeding,, inspects veterinary, arranges for adequate fodder and checks the spread of epidemics.
6. Primary Education related Functions: Rural Primary Education is the responsibility of the Panchayat Samiti. Construction and maintenance of buildings for primary schools, promotion of women education and professional training, conducting activities regarding adult education, literacy programmes and cultural activities and free distribution of books among the students.
7. Other Functions:
1. Promotion of khadi and cottage industry.
2. Arrangement for drinking water.
3. Development of sterile land and construction of public buildings, roads, flyovers and ghats.
4. Implementation of woman-child welfare, and health and family welfare programmes.
5. Welfare of the handicapped, mentally challenged and the helpless, pension to the old, the widows and the handicapped and welfare of weaker sections of society.
6. Encouraging cooperative activities and helping during natural calamities.
