Page 181 - SST Class 06

Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs)
Block Samiti Gram Panchayat
Just Think!
Can you become a member of Gram Sabha right
now?
Village Panchayat
The Village Panchayat functions at the village
level. It comprises of three institutions—Gram
Sabha, Gram Panchayat and Nyaya Panchayat.
F ind Outind Out
What is the first state which adopted the
Panchayati Raj System?
Gram Sabha
A Gram Sabha is the general body of a village. It
comprises of all adult villagers above the age of
18 years whose names are registered in the
electoral rolls. A Gram Sabha meets at least twice
a year. It elects its representatives for the Gram
Panchayat. The number of members of a Gram
Sabha varies from 100 to 1000 depending on the
size of the village.
Powers of Gram Sabha : A Gram Sabha has the
power to review the work done by the Gram
Panchayat in the village. It can examine the
accounts of income and expenditure. If it is not
satisfied with the working of any member of the
Gram Panchayat, it can pass a vote of no-
confidence to remove that member.
Gram Panchayat
The Gram Panchayat comprises of the members
directly elected by the Gram Sabha. The number
of members in a Gram Panchayat can vary from 7
to 31 depending on the size of the village. The
members are elected for a term of five years. Its
members should also include those from
and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). One-third of
total seats are reserved for women. The members
of a Gram Panchayat can be removed from their
posts if a vote of no-confidence is passed against
them by the Gram Sabha of the village.
Pradhan : The Gram Panchayat is headed by a
chairperson called Pradhan or Sarpanch. An Up-
Pradhan (vice chairperson) is also elected to assist
him who functions as the Pradhan in his absence.
The Pradhan chairs the meetings of the Gram
Panchayat and signs important documents and
coordinates the activities of the Gram Panchayat.
The posts of the Pradhan, Up-Pradhan and other
members are honorary, that is, no remuneration is
paid to them.
Functions : A Gram Panchayat functions at the
smallest unit of administration, that is, village. Its
functions can be divided into two types—essential
and optional.
Quiz Time
Fill in the blanks :
1. The Panchayat system was ____________ and
____________ .
2. The Gram Panchayat is headed by a chairperson
called ____________ .
3. A Gram Sabha meets at least ____________ a
year.
4. The urban administration is set in the form of
____________ .
5. The word ‘Pancha’ means ____________ .
Essential Functions : The Gram Panchayat has to
necessarily perform the essential functions. These
include construction and maintenance of roads
and waterways; construction and repair of village
wells and tanks; provision of clean drinking water;
provision of street lights; provision of sanitation,
cleanliness, health care and medical facilities;
construction of culverts etc. In addition, it also
supervises the functioning of government workers
working in the village, such as patwari or lekhpal,
police constable, chowkidar, peon etc. It also
looks after the school management of primary
schools in the village.
Panchayati Raj
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