LOCAL SELF-GOVERNMENT

PANCHAYAT SAMITIS

Under Section 57 of the Act, a Panchayat Samiti is provided for every block. Every Panchayat Samiti will consist of the following members:

(a) all councillors who are elected on the Zilla Parishad from the electoral divisions in the block,

(b) the co-opted councillor of the Zilla Parishad residing in the block,

(c) the chairmen of such co-operative societies conducting the business of purchase and sale of agricultural produce in the block as nominated by Government (to be associate members),

(d) the chairman of a co-operative society conducting business relating to agriculture (not being a society falling under 'C' above) in the block, co-opted by the Panchayat Samiti (to be an associate member),

(e) one member who is a regular resident in the block, to be co-opted by the Panchayat Samiti in case of non-availability of a woman member belonging to scheduled caste or scheduled tribe, and

(f) sarpanchas elected by members of the village Panchayats.

The term of the office of the chairman and members of the Panchayat Samiti is co-terminous.

The chairman of a Panchayat Samiti is paid an honorarium of Rs. 300 per month with the facility of free residential accommodation. The deputy chairman of a Panchayat Samiti is paid a honorarium of Rs. 150 per month.

Powers and Functions of Chairman : Subject to the provisions of the Act and the rules or regulations made thereunder: -

(1) the chairman of a Panchayat Samiti.--

(a) convenes, presides over and conducts meetings of the Panchayat Samiti;

(b) has access to the records of the Panchayat Samiti;

(c) exercises supervision and control over the officers and servants of or under the Zilla Parishad and working in the blocK, in matters of execution or administration and the accounts and records of the Panchayat Samiti;

(d) in relation to works and development schemes to be undertaken from block grants, exercises such powers of sanctioning acquisition of property or sale or transfer thereof as may be specified by the State Government.

(2) The chairman of Panchayat Samiti is authorised.

(a) to call for any information, return, statement, accounts or report from any officer or servant working under the Panchayat Samiti;

(b) to enter on and inspect any immovable property in the block occupied by the Zilla Parishad or any institution in the mock under the control and management of the Zilla Parishad, or the Panchayat Samiti or any work or development scheme in progress in the block undertaken by the Zilla Parishad or the Panchayat Samiti or under its direction.

Deputy chairman.—(1). The deputy chairman of a Panchayat Samiti.—

(a) in the absence of the chairman, presides over the meetings of the Panchayat Samiti;

(b) exercises such of the powers and performs such of the duties of the chairman of the Panchayat Samiti, as the chairman from time to time may, subject to the rules made by the State Government in that behalf, delegate to him by an order in writing; and

(c) pending the election of the chairman or during the absence of the chairman exercises the powers and performs the duties of the chairman.

(2) The deputy chairman of a Panchayat Samiti is competent to enter on and inspect any immovable property in the block occupied by the Zilla Parishad or any institution in the block under the control and management of the Zilla Parishad or the Panchayat Samati or any work or development scheme in progress in the block undertaken by the Zilla Parishad or the Panchayat Samiti or under its direction and send a report of such inspection to the chairman of the Panchayat Samiti.

The following statement gives the details about the membership of 13 Panchayat Samitis in the district:

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