What are the Major Functions of a Gram Panchayat?

What is Gram Panchayat? 

Gram Panchayat is a local body of government to manage the various responsibility of villages. Gram Panchayat is the smallest form of the local government body in India. The provincial government body of Gram Panchayat was established in 1993 and enacted in the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution. The Gram Panchayat is responsible for managing and providing facilities for the village people. The Gram Panchayat is managed by the upper body of Panchayat Samiti.  

History of Gram Panchayat

The concept of Gram Panchayat started in the Vedic Period when the assembly of village people was formed in order to govern the local areas. These assemblies consisted of representatives for each different section and responsibility. During the British period in India, the British government introduced the Indian Village Panchayats Act in 1883. 

 After the Independence, the Indian Government continued this concept of Gram Panchayat. Later on, in 1959, the Indian government Enacted the Panchayat Raj Act. These Act consisted of Three-Tier Institutions, including The Gram Panchayat at the Village level, The Intermediate Panchayat at the Taluka level, and the Zilla Parishad at the district level. in 1993, the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution was enacted, which provided devolution of the roles and Responsibilities of Gram  Panchayat. 

Features of Gram Panchayat

• The body of Gram Panchayat is elected by the process of Election after every five years. This election is conducted by the State Election Commission. by using a secret ballot and the person with the highest votes is elected.
• The body of Gram Panchayat consists of the Panchayat President and a number of ward members. 
• The elected members can be re-elected for the next term if they receive the highest number of votes. 
• The Head of Gram Panchayat is known as Secretary, who is elected by the State Government. He keeps watch on the role and responsibilities of the Gram Panchayat members and for taking decisions with Panchayat Samiti. 
• There are various responsibilities of Gram Panchayat such as the construction of roads, buildings, hospitals, water supply, employment opportunities, and Healthcare. 

Functions of Gram Panchayat

1. Rural Development: Gram Panchayat is responsible for the overall development of the village. This development helps the villagers to access their services easily. 
2. Health and Sanitation: Gram Panchayat is responsible for the overall health and hygiene of the villagers. In order to maintain it, the members must ensure the proper development of government hospitals, safe drinking water, campaigns on cleanliness and sanitation, construction and maintenance of toilets, etc.  
3. Agricultural Development: Gram Panchayat must look into the health of the crops. Gram Panchayat must provide support to the farmers by teaching them modern farming techniques, increasing crop yields, and animal husbandry. 
4. Revenue Collection: The Gram Panchayat collects the revenue from the residents of the village so that these taxes will be used for the overall development of the village.    
5. Disaster Management: Gram Panchayat must make sure to manage natural disasters and prepare for the emergencies such as floods, earthquakes, and droughts. This management will ensure the proper security of the villagers in case of such disasters. 
6. Social Welfare: Gram Panchayat is responsible must promote various activities for the welfare of the elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged individuals and their families. 
7. Women and Children Welfare: Gram Panchayat must ensure that the women and children must be provided with healthcare and education. Child labor must be taken into consideration in order to ensure that no such practice must be followed. 

Advantages of Gram Panchayat

1. Improved basic Services: The Gram Panchayat takes into consideration various development-related responsibilities which result in improved essential services for the villagers. Basic Services such as water, improved transport, and healthcare services. 
2. Economic Growth: Various works and responsibilities are being carried out by the Gram Panchayat that results in the overall economic growth of the villagers. 
3. Improved Healthcare: Proper Healthcare facilities provided by the Gram Panchayat result in improved healthcare for the villagers. Proper healthcare, healthcare and medical facilities, and hygienic environments result in improved healthcare. 
4. Improved Education: Gram Panchayat takes various measures to improve the education facilities, development of school buildings, educational environments, and facilities. 
5. Empowerment of women:  Various facilities being provided by Gram Panchayat in consideration of Women, provides opportunities for women to stand on their own financially and independently. 

Disadvantages of Gram Panchayat 

1. Shortage of Resources: Due to the lack of availability of the resources such as financial and human resources the Gram Panchayat may not be able to perform well. In such cases, the avoidance of such responsibilities can lead to an economic loss for the village. 
2. Corruption: Corruption is one of the most important in context of drawbacks, which is followed does not lead to the development of the village.  
3. Political Interference: Due to political interference the Gram Panchayat members are not able to perform their responsibilities properly, which can even disturb the overall environment of the village and a mutual understanding between the villagers and the Gram Panchayat body members.  
4. Lack of Accountability: Due to lack of accountability the Gram Panchayat Members cannot perform properly with the financial and human resources which will a result not lead to the proper economic development of the village. 

FAQs on Gram Panchayat

Q1. What is the role of a Gram Panchayat?

Ans: The primary role of a Gram Panchayat is to provide basic services such as education, transportation, healthcare, Water, Agricultural, and sanitation facilities and supporting towards the cultural and economic development of the village. 

Q2.  How is a Gram Panchayat constituted?

Ans. A Gram Panchayat is constituted by the process of election.  Elections are carried out after every five years in all the villages and the members who received the highest votes are becomes the body of Gram Panchayat. 

Q3. What is the relationship between a Gram Panchayat and the government?

Ans. The gram panchayat is a local government body at the village level. It reports and receives financial and administrative support from the government.  

Q4. What are the sources of revenue for a Gram Panchayat?

Ans. The sources of revenue for a Gram Panchayat include taxes, grants, and other revenues, such as fees and charges. 

Q5. How is the budget of a Gram Panchayat prepared and approved?

Ans. The budget of a Gram Panchayat is prepared by the council and is based on the estimated revenues and expenditures for the financial year. The budget is approved by the gram panchayat through a majority vote of its members. The approved budget is then submitted to the higher levels of government for approval and funding.