Structure of PRIs

The Panchayati Raj system is a three-tier system with elected bodies at the village, intermediate and district levels.

  • The modern system is based in part on traditional Panchayat governance, in part on the vision of Mahatma Gandhi and in part by the work of various committees to harmonize the highly centralized Indian governmental administration with a degree of local autonomy.

Components of Local Bodies

Urban and Rural Local Bodies: The Urban local bodies include Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayat. The rural local bodies in corporate Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti and Gram
Panchayat.

  • Municipal Corporation: The Municipal Corporation consists of the Council, where in representatives from every ward are elected by the people known as Councilors for a term of five years. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor are elected by the Councilors for a period of two and half years. Mayor is regarded as the first citizen of the city. The MPs, MLAs are the ex-officio members of the corporation.
  • Gram Panchayat: It works at the village level. It is formed in a village which has minimum population or else two or more villages are clubbed together. Sarpanch is the head of the Gram Panchayat. He supervises and implements the resolutions passed by the Gram Panchayat.
  • Nagar Panchayat: The composition and functions of the Nagar Panchayat are similar to Municipal Councils. Nagar Panchayats are established in those rural areas that are to be soon transformed into urban. Nagar Panchayat is formed according to the 74th Constitutional Amendment.
  • Zila Parishad: It is a local government body at the district level. It looks after the administration of rural areas in a district. The members of the Parishad are elected by the people for a term of five years. Some seats are reserved for SC, ST, OBC and women. The President and Vice-President are elected for the term of two and half years.
  • Panchayat Samiti: The Panchayat Samiti is formed at the Taluka level. Every Panchayat Samiti is headed by the Chairperson. In the absence of Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson performs his functions. The Block Development Officer (BDO) is the executive head of the Panchayat Samiti. He is appointed by the Statistics government.
  • Municipal Council: The smaller cities are looked after by Municipal Councils. When the cities grow in size of population it is transformed under the administration of Municipal Corporations. The Council consists of:
    • The Council members are elected by the people for a term of five years.
    • President and Vice-President are elected by the members of the Council for a term of two and half years. The President is honoured as the first citizen of the town.
    • Each Council has among its appointed Staff, one Executive Officer and its subordinate staff and nominated selected citizens of the town.

Composition

Panchayats

Municipal Corporations

Seats shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, and the Scheduled Tribes.

Not less than one-third of the total number of seats reserved for women belonging to the scheduled Castes and scheduled Tribes.

The offices of the Chairpersons in the Panchayats at the village or any other level shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and women in such manner as the legislature of a Statistics may, by law, provide

The Statistics Legislature can reserve seats in any Panchayats or offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at any level in favour of backward class of citizens

Seats shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, and the Scheduled Tribes

Not less than one-third of the total number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

The offices of the Chairpersons in the Municipalities at the village or any other level shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and women in such manner as the legislature of a Statistics may, by law, provide.

The Statistics Legislature can reserve seats in any Municipality or offices of Chairpersons in the Municipalities at any level in favour of backward class of citizens.

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