What is Gram Panchayat?
Historical Background
Key Points
10 points- 1.
Constituted for a village or a group of villages with a population of at least 500.
- 2.
Elected body consisting of a Sarpanch (head) and Ward Members (Panchs).
- 3.
Elections are held every 5 years.
- 4.
Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and women.
- 5.
Responsible for planning and implementing development programs at the village level.
- 6.
Functions include sanitation, water supply, road maintenance, primary education, and healthcare.
- 7.
Plays a crucial role in implementing government schemes like MGNREGA, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and others.
- 8.
Empowered to levy and collect local taxes.
- 9.
Accountable to the Gram Sabha (village assembly).
- 10.
Works under the supervision and guidance of higher levels of Panchayati Raj Institutions (Block Panchayat and Zilla Parishad).
Visual Insights
Gram Panchayat: Key Functions and Structure
Mind map illustrating the key functions, structure, and importance of Gram Panchayats in local governance.
Gram Panchayat
- ●Functions
- ●Structure
- ●Importance
- ●Challenges
Recent Developments
5 developmentsEfforts to strengthen the financial and administrative capacity of Gram Panchayats.
Use of technology for improved governance and service delivery.
Focus on capacity building and training of elected representatives.
Challenges in ensuring effective participation of women and marginalized communities.
Debate on devolution of more powers and functions to Gram Panchayats.