The Gazetteers Department

With a view to promoting development of democratic institutions and securing a greater measure of participation by the people in the development plans and in local and governmental affairs by adopting a policy of decentralisation of powers and functions, Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samitis have been established in the district.

Under Section 57 of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1962, 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 members of the Zilla Parishad residing in the block,

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

(d) the chairman of co-operative society conducting business relating to agriculture (not being a society falling under the head ' 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 if the woman member belonging to scheduled castes or scheduled tribes is not available.

(f) Sarpanchas elected by members of the village panchayats.

Powers and functions of Chairman. The term of the office of the chairman and members of the panchayat samiti is coterminous. The chairman is paid an honorarium of Rs. 300 per month with the facility of free residential accommodation.

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 and the accounts and records of the panchayat samiti;

(d) in relation to the 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 is authorised —

(a) to call for any information, return, statement, account or report from any officer or servant working under the panchayat samiti;

(b) to enter into 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 samiti or any work or development scheme in progress undertaken by the Zilla Parishad or the panchayat samiti or under its direction.

Powers and functions of 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 as the chairman from time to time may, subject to the rules made by the State Government in that behalf, delegates 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.

At present there are 13 panchayat samitis working in the district at Bhandara, Gondia, Tirora, Goregaon, Amgaon, Salekasa, Tumsar, Mohadi, Pauni, Sakoli, Lakhandur, Deori and Arjuni Morgaon. As per the Census of 1961 these 13 panchayat samitis covered as many as 1,486 inhabited villages in the district.

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