Under 73rd amendment, the Panchayati raj system has the following three-tier structure:
Gram Panchayat at village level: The gram panchayat is executive of Gram Sabha. The members of the Gram Panchayat are elected by the Gram Sabha. Every adult member of the village has right to vote in the panchayat elections.
The Gram Panchayat has the following responsibilities :
• To provide clean drinking water in the village and disinfecting the tanks, wells etc.
• To improve sanitary conditions in the village.
• To ensure better healthcare facilities for the village by opening dispensaries and hospitals.
2. Panchayat Samiti at block level: The members of Panchayat Samiti or Block Development Committee are elected directly by the people through universal adult franchise. The ex-officio member of Panchayat Samiti are MLAs, MPs, SDMs and BDOs of the areas. Besides ex-officio members, the others are elected members. Some seats are kept reserved for SC and ST members. 30% seats are kept reserved for women candidates. The term of Block Samiti is five years.
The functions of Block Samiti are as follows :
• To look after the working of Gram Panchayat.
• To promote scientific and modem agri-cultural practice in the area and to distribute fertilizers, high yield seeds and scientific equipment to the farmers.
3. Zilla Parishad at district level: The Chairman of Zilla Parishad is elected by the Chairman of Panchayat Samities in the district. The ex-officio members are MLAs, MPs, SDMs, Collector and Deputy Collector. For every state government, there is a financial commission to review the financial condition of these institutions and to review the allocation of funds and grant-in-aid.
The functions of Zilla Parishad are as follows :
• To co-ordinate the working of Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis in the district.
• To study the annual budget of the Panchayat Samiti and to approve it.
