Panchayat Election
Balwant Rai Mehta is called the father of Panchayati Raj . Article- 243 of Indian Constitution deals with Panchayat Election. The process consists of three levels like- Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (block level), and Zilla Parishad (district level). The State Election Commission conducts panchayat elections.
Zila Parishad is the highest institution of Panchayati Raj in India. The Panchayat Samiti is elected for a term of five years. The members of the Gram Sabha elect the ward members through a direct election.
The president of the Gram Panchayat is elected by the ward members as per the State Act. The president of Gram Panchayat is also called Sarpanch.
The Sarpanch and the Panch are elected for a period of five years . The Ward Panchs and the Sarpanch form the Gram Panchayat. The Gram Panchayat has a Secretary who is also the Secretary of the Gram Sabha.
Panchayat Election strengthens the base pillars of Indian democracy.Panchayat Election is very important as it maintains water sources, wells, tanks and pumps, street lighting and drainage system of villages in India.
Construction and Maintenance of Public Facilities , levying and collecting local taxes, executing government schemes related to generating employment in the village are the main functions of a panchayat. Gram Panchayat is responsible for the overall development of the village and the villagers. The main reason to establish the three tier government is to increase the democratic participation. It stresses on local needs and priorities, and to ensure a better life for villagers. According to Article 243, Panchayats have the responsibility to prepare plans for economic development and social justice of the rural area.
