Panchayat Samiti is an important institution in the Panchayat Raj system, which works for the development and administration of rural areas. This institution acts as a link between the Gram Panchayat (village level) and the Zilla Parishad (district level).
Key Objectives
* Overall Rural Development: The main objective of the Panchayat Samiti is to improve the standard of living in rural areas, develop infrastructure, and make villages self-sufficient.
* Implementation of Schemes: Effective implementation of various development schemes implemented by the Central Government and the State Government. These include schemes for health, education, agriculture, and employment generation.
* Strengthening local self-government: Panchayat Samiti strengthens local administration through people's participation. This makes democratic decentralization possible.
* Poverty Alleviation: Implementing various schemes and initiatives to reduce poverty in rural areas, which will provide financial assistance to the needy.
* Clean and Green Villages: Creating clean and green villages by focusing on aspects like sanitation, water management and environmental protection in villages.
Major Functions
Panchayat Samiti has to perform various functions to fulfill its objectives. They are as follows:
* Planning and Implementation : Planning development projects in the taluka, allocating funds for them, and monitoring whether those projects are being implemented properly.
* Control over Gram Panchayats : To supervise the functioning of all Gram Panchayats in the taluka, guide them and maintain coherence in their work.
* Infrastructure development : Construction and maintenance of rural roads, water supply, water management, public health centers and schools.
* Administrative Functions : To look after the administrative functioning of the Panchayat Samiti and control the day-to-day affairs with the help of the Block Development Officer (BDO).
* Financial management : Ensuring the proper use of funds received from government grants, local taxes, and other sources.
* Social Welfare : Implementing special welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women and other weaker sections.
The Panchayat Samiti is the focal point of rural administration and plays a vital role in the development of villages and meeting the needs of local people.