Organizational Structure
As part of decentralization of power, our local self-government system is structured in a pyramid model:
- District Level: At the top comes the District Panchayat (Zilla Parishad). Its responsibility is the coordination of development activities across the entire rural areas of a district.
- Block Level: The Block Panchayat (Panchayat Samiti) functions in the middle. It acts as a link between the District Panchayat and the Grama Panchayats.
- Village Level: The Grama Panchayat (Gram Panchayat), which is closest to the people, is situated at the grassroots level.
Internal Structure of a Grama Panchayat
The administrative structure within a Grama Panchayat is organized as follows:
- Grama Sabha: This is a body consisting of the voters of the Panchayat. The Grama Sabha holds the power to discuss development projects and select beneficiaries.
- Panchayat Governing Body (Political Wing): The political division consisting of Ward Members directly elected by the people, along with the President and Vice President elected by those members.
- Administrative Wing (Official Wing): The official body consisting of the Panchayat Secretary, Assistant Secretary, and other staff who help to legally execute the decisions of the governing body.