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Main functions:
> Approving the draft plan required for social and economic development in the country.
> Advising and suggesting on the mobilization of financial resources required for the implementation of the plan.
> Making changes in the objectives based on the priorities of the states after consulting them.
> Making necessary suggestions for the effective implementation of the plans.
> Suggesting solutions to the problems encountered in the implementation of the plans.
* P.C submits its report to the Cabinet.
* P.C does not provide any representation to the states.
* Although people like R. Santhanam desired a federal system for India, in practice, P.C's institutions were practically following a unitary system.
II. National Development Council (NDC):
> Formed in 1952 through a resolution of the Union Cabinet.
> After the Parliament of India, it is acting as the highest policy-making body in matters of social and economic development.
> > The Central Government acts as a coordinating body between the states & P.C.
> NDC acts as an advisor to P.C.
> NDC meets twice a year.
> The same person acts as Secretary (for both) to NDC & P.C.
> Current Secretary - Rajiv Ratan Shah

Structure:
- Chairman: Prime Minister
- Union Cabinet Ministers
- Chief Ministers of all states & Administrators of Union Territories are members.
P.C members are also invitees to NDC.

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Main functions:
> The draft plan prepared by P.C. is placed before the NDC by the Union Cabinet. NDC discusses and approves it.
> Suggests changes in the draft plans.
> Strives for the cooperation of state governments in the implementation of the plans.
> Suggests solutions to the problems encountered.
> It is only an advisory body.
Sarkaria Commission's Recommendations:
* The name of NDC should be changed to National Economic Development Council.
> Constitutional recognition should be given to it.
III. National Integration Council [NIC]:
> Established by the Nehru government in 1961.
> The Prime Minister is its Chairman.
:
> Union Cabinet Ministers, Chief Ministers of all states, administrators of UTs, representatives of public organizations, labor unions; prominent personalities in fields like cinema, sports, etc. are its members.
> The Central Government appoints these members.
> Can meet twice a year.
> Makes necessary resolutions for national unity and integrity and tries to create awareness among the people about the efforts. Current members: 148
IV. National Security Council (NSC):
> Formed during the Kargil War in 1998 during Vajpayee's tenure.
> Chairman: Prime Minister, 8 members.
> Current Advisor - Shivshankar Menon
> It acts as an advisor to the Union Cabinet.
> Advising the Union Cabinet on matters of national internal and external security is its main duty.

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Third Chapter
Community Development Experiment:
Sovereign Development Scheme:-
> Started CDP in 1952.
> We have chosen the block system in America as a model for development.
> This scheme was formulated on the advice of V.T. Krishnamachari.
> The Ford Foundation of America provided financial assistance for the implementation of this scheme.
> This scheme was initially launched on an experimental basis in 55 blocks in 50 districts of the country.
> Through CDP, emphasis was placed on the development of agriculture, irrigation, roads and transport, primary education, health, small-scale cottage industries, etc.
> In 1953, NESS [National Extensive Service Scheme] CDP & this scheme was intended.
> This scheme introduced a hierarchical system in the official system in matters of development.
> Although this scheme did not achieve the desired goals in practice, it can be said that it helped people focus on development.
Sriniketan Experiment:-
> Rabindranath started this experiment in 1921.
* They emphasized the concept of 'development with self-respect'. Training was given on agriculture, handloom industry, education, etc.
Martandam Experiment;-
> In the 'Martandam' area of Kanyakumari district (Tamil Nadu), British officials Spencer & Hatch, under the leadership, selected 70 villages and conducted this experiment.
> YMCA played a role in creating awareness about development among the people by providing training on various aspects.
Itawah Experiment:-
> Albert Mayer, Collector of Etawah District in UP, selected 70 villages and conducted the experiment.
> By mobilizing educated youth in rural areas, they were given training on small-scale cottage industries, agriculture, poultry farming, etc.

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> Promoted extensively in rural areas.
Nilokheri Experiment:-
> Many refugees took shelter in the Nilokheri area of Karnal district in Haryana during the partition of the country.
> Under the leadership of S.K. Dey, training was given on manufacturing agricultural tools, dairy farming, poultry farming, handicrafts, etc. to achieve self-sufficiency.
Lunda Experiment:-
> V.T. Krishnamachari, who served as the Diwan of Baroda, initiated this experiment.
> Improving transport facilities in rural areas, imparting education, creating awareness about health facilities, agriculture, and cottage industries.
Sevagram:-
> Mahatma Gandhi started it in Wardha [Maharashtra].
> Along with training on basic education, religious harmony, satyagraha, Sarvodaya, etc., awareness was also created on self-help and handloom industries.
> Jayaprakash Narayan and Acharya Vinoba Bhave were trained here.
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee:-
> This committee was formed in 1957.
> P.C established it based on the resolution of the NDC.
> This committee submitted its report at the end of 1957.
> In 1958, this committee made a decisive announcement on the establishment of the Panchayati Raj system in Hyderabad.
> In 1958, the NDC approved the committee's report.
Recommendations:
- If government development schemes are to be implemented effectively, people should be involved in development.
- To involve people, the Panchayati Raj system should be established.
- A three-tier Panchayati Raj system should be established in the country.
* Zilla Parishad
* Taluka/Panchayat Samiti
* Gram Panchayat
- Elections to local bodies should be held regularly once every 5 years.
– Elections should be held independently (on a non-party basis) rather than on a party basis.
- Except at the lower level, indirect elections should be conducted at the intermediate and higher levels.

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- Local bodies should be given adequate powers to function effectively.
- Adequate financial resources should be provided to local bodies.
- All future development schemes should be implemented only through local bodies.
- The District Collector should play a key role in local self-government.
* Nehru inaugurated the local self-governing bodies on October 2, 1959, in Nagaur district of Rajasthan. In Nehru's words.....
"The local self-governing bodies being inaugurated today will work as the foundation of Indian democracy, play a key role in nation-building and act as schools for future leadership".
> On November 1, 1959, Chief Minister Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy inaugurated the local bodies in Shadnagar of Rangareddy district in AP.
> The 2nd district to start Panchayati Raj institutions in AP: Srikakulam
Development of Local Self-Governing Bodies in India:
> Local self-governing bodies have existed in our country since ancient times.
> A council of 5 members called 'Panchas' played a key role in the administration of rural areas. This, in due course, became 'Panchayat'.
> Our Panchayats can be compared to the 'Gerontocracy' (rule by elders) that existed in Greek city-states.
> -Charles Metcalfe described the local bodies in our country as 'Little Republics'.
> 'Sabha' & 'Samiti' established during the Aryan period played a key role in local self-government.
> In Kautilya's Arthashastra, it is mentioned that an officer called 'Gramani' played an important role in the supervision of rural areas.
> 'Dasagramani' is the officer who supervised the administration of 10 villages.
> "Dharma Courts" (civil courts), "Kantakasodhana" (Criminal courts) or courts,
> Those who are famous for the administration of local self-governing bodies in South India - Cholas
> Historical evidence suggests that during the Chola period, pots were used as ballot boxes and palm leaves with symbols were used as ballot papers.
> The method of electing representatives of local bodies was in vogue during the Chola period.
> Megasthenes, in his book 'Indica', mentioned that the administration of Pataliputra city was carried out by a council of 30 members headed by an officer called 'Nagarik'.

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In the Middle Ages,
> Local self-governing bodies were neglected during the Middle Ages.
> An officer called 'Kotwal' played a key role in maintaining law and order and focused only on revenue collection.
> Although Sher Shah focused on regional administration during his reign, he did not pay any attention to local self-government.
British Government Period
> The first municipal corporation was established in Madras in 1687.
> In 1726, full-fledged municipal corporations were established in Bombay, Madras, and Calcutta.
> The resolution introduced by Lord Mayo in 1870 can be said to be the first official attempt made by the government for the development of local bodies.
> Although the Charter Act, 1813, provided for the imposition of taxes in local bodies, no attention was paid to development.
Ripon's Resolution:
> In 1882, Lord Ripon introduced a resolution on the development of local bodies.
> Ripon's resolution is considered as the "Magna Carta" for local self-governing bodies.
> Ripon is the "Father of Local Self-Governing Bodies" in our country.
> Ripon introduced a three-tier Panchayati Raj system.
> With minor changes, the same model is still in vogue in India.
1. District Board
2. Taluka Board
3. Gram Panchayat
Royal Commission Resolution:
> In 1907, the Royal Commission headed by Charles Hobhouse recommended that representatives of local self-governing bodies should assume power only by being elected by the people.
> Through the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919, and subsequently, the method of electing representatives of local bodies was introduced.
> In the Dyarchy system introduced through the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms of 1919, local bodies were placed in the Transferred list and Indian ministers were given powers over them.

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> Through the Government of India Act, 1935, local bodies were placed in the State List and autonomy was given to the states.
Post-Independence;
> Local bodies were placed in the State List as per the Constitution of India.
> Article 40 - The governments should take steps to establish them.
> Based on the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, Rajasthan first in 1959, and then AP established them.
Development of Local Bodies:
First Phase: 1959 - 1964 [Initial Phase]
Second Phase: 1964-1969 [Stagnation Phase]
Third Phase: 1969 - 1978 [Decline Phase]
Fourth Phase: 1978- [Revival Phase]
Ashok Mehta Committee:
> In 1978, the Janata government appointed a special committee under the leadership of Ashok Mehta on the functioning of local bodies.
* The Ashok Mehta Committee, in its report, stated that local self-governing bodies were not a failed god, and if given proper priority, powers, and funds, they would function successfully.
> Politically to strengthen democratic values, economically... to focus on development, socially to create new leadership, administratively to the people,

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- Stated that local self-governing bodies have emerged as a bridge between the government.
Main Recommendations:
- A two-tier system should be introduced in the Panchayati Raj system.
* Zilla Parishad
* Mandal Parishad
- Villages with a population of 15,000 to 20,000 should be formed into a Mandal.
- Gram Panchayat should be abolished as a unit in development matters.
- Elections to local bodies should be held on a party basis.
- Representatives of local bodies should be elected by direct election method.
- The term of local bodies should be 4 years.
- Elections to these bodies should be conducted on time.
- Adequate powers should be transferred to local bodies.
- All development programs should be implemented only through these bodies.
- Necessary funds should be allocated for these bodies to function effectively.
* After the recommendations of Ashok Mehta, discussions were held in India to strengthen the local bodies. Therefore, the period after 1978 is called the "revival phase".
+ Although local self-governing bodies were established in 1959, elections were held only in 1964.

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Dantwala Committee:
> This committee submitted its report to the Center in 1978.
> This committee recommended that the Sarpanches of Gram Panchayats should be elected by direct method.
> Block system (intermediate system) should be given priority.
> As part of decentralization of planning, the block should be taken as a unit and planning should be done.
Ch. Hanumantha Rao Committee:
> This committee made some important recommendations to the Center in 1984.
- District Planning Boards should be established.
- The Collector should play a key role in the Zilla Parishad. The Collector in the district development should act as a key player.
> The collector should function as a key person in the district. The state government's official representative should act as responsible for development.
G.V.K. Rao Committee Recommendations:
- Appointed by P.C in 1985.
- Block system should be abolished,
- Zilla Parishad should play a key role in development,
- The Collector should act as the Chairman of the Zilla Parishad,
- All development programs should be carried out by the Collector.
- If the workload on the Collector is excessive, CEO, and DDOs should be appointed.
L.M. Singhvi Committee:
> Rajiv Gandhi government appointed this committee in 1986 to study the 'Role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Democracy & Economic Development'.
> The Singhvi Committee submitted its report in 1987.
- Panchayati Raj Institutions (local self-governing bodies) should be made constitutional.
- Elections to local bodies should be held on time.
- Gram Sabhas should be given more importance in village administration.
- Tribunals should be set up to resolve disputes arising during elections to local bodies.
- Village courts should be established.
- Powers should be transferred to local bodies constitutionally.
- Adequate financial resources should be provided for local bodies to function effectively.

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Thungan Committee:
> In 1987, the Rajiv Gandhi government appointed a ministerial sub-committee headed by P.K. Thungan, Union Minister of State for Rural Development.
> Taking into account the recommendations of the Singhvi Committee and the Thungan Committee, the Rajiv Gandhi government formulated the 64th and 65th Constitutional Amendment Bills.
- The 64th Amendment Bill pertains to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
> The 65th Amendment Bill pertains to urban and municipal bodies.
> In 1989, the 64th Amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament, and although the Lok Sabha approved it, the bill failed as the Rajya Sabha rejected it.
> While the 65th Amendment Bill was under consideration in the Lok Sabha, the bill was also dropped with the dissolution of the House.
> In 1990, the V.P. Singh government intended to amend these bills and introduce them in Parliament, but the government collapsed in the meantime.
> In 1992, the P.V. government revived the 64th Amendment Bill and, with many changes, passed it in Parliament as the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Bill.
> Through the 73rd Amendment, the 11th Schedule was added to the Constitution.
* Constitutional status was given to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
> The 65th Amendment Bills were amended and passed in Parliament in 1992 as the 74th Amendment and the 12th Schedule was added to the Constitution.
> 11 states in India approved the above two amendments 73,74.
> The 73rd and 74th Amendments came into force from 1993,

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73rd Constitutional Amendment

Article 243: Definitions
Article 243-A: Gram Sabha
B: Establishment
C: Composition
D: Reservations
E: Term
F: Qualifications, Disqualifications
G: Powers
Article 243-H: Taxes
I: State F.C
J: Accounts
K: State E.C
L: Union Territories
M: Exemptions
N: Applicability of old laws
O: Tribunals

Article 243: Definitions
- Villages, Gram Panchayat, Gram Sabha, Mandal Parishad (intermediate body).
- The Governor will notify the definitions through a notification on population etc.
- The Legislature will make laws on definitions. Will amend the laws.
* Article 243-A: Gram Sabha
- All the voters in the village are its members.
- This Sabha acts as the foundation for the Gram Panchayat.
- The Gram Panchayat is collectively responsible to it.
- Formulates the necessary policies for village development. It can be compared to the Landsgemeinde in Switzerland.
> This is considered the basis for direct democracy.
> Article 243-B: Establishment
- Informs about the establishment of the Panchayati Raj system at 3 levels.
(a) Zilla Parishad
(b) Taluka/Panchayat Samiti/Block Panchayat, Mandal Parishad
(c) Gram Panchayat
+ States with a population of less than 20 lakhs are exempted from establishing intermediate bodies.

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> Article 243-C: Composition
- Informs about the method of electing the representatives of local bodies.
- Representatives at all 3 levels are elected directly by the people.
- The Gram Sarpanch is elected by direct method.
> The Chairpersons of Zilla Parishad & Intermediate (Mandal) level are elected indirectly.
> Article 243-D: Reservations:
- Informs about the reservations provided to certain sections in local bodies.
(a) Some seats should be reserved for SCs in proportion to their population.
> 1/3rd of the seats reserved for them should be reserved for women.
(b) Seats should be reserved for STs in proportion to their population.
> 1/3rd of them should be reserved for women.
(c) 1/3rd of the total seats in local bodies should be reserved for women.
+ State governments can make laws to provide reservations for other sections.
> Article 243-E: Term
- The term of local bodies is fixed as 5 years.
- The state government can dissolve them before the completion of the 5-year term.
- Representatives elected through by-elections held when vacancies arise will continue in office only for the remaining term.
> If elections are held for the entire body due to delay, the full term can continue in office.
+ If the remaining term of that body is less than 6 months, there is no need to conduct by-elections.
> Article 243-F: Qualifications, Disqualifications
- The qualifications and disqualifications applicable to candidates contesting for Parliament & Legislative Assemblies also apply to candidates contesting for local bodies.

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* To contest in local bodies, a minimum age of 21 years is required.
* Should be registered as a voter in that body's area.
* Those who have more than two children since 1995 are ineligible to contest.
> Article 243-G: Powers, Functions
- Powers should be transferred to local bodies on 29 items in the 11th Schedule.
- Out of the total 29 items, 12 items should be compulsorily fulfilled. The remaining 17 items can be said to be optional functions.
* Key points such as agriculture, land, irrigation, soil conservation, roads, bridges, general & women's welfare, drinking water, street lights
> Article 243-H: Taxes
- The state governments generate revenue for it through the following methods.
(a) Central government funds,
(b) Funds provided by the state government;
(c) Funds received through rents and sales;
(d) Donations;
(e) Taxes—house tax, water tax, Advertisements, Markets....
+ Taxes should be collected based on the guidelines of the laws made by the State Legislature through Article 265.

> Article 243-I: State F.C
- To provide adequate financial resources for local bodies to function effectively, a state-level F.C should be established.
> The (State Governor) F.C formulates guidelines regarding the funds to be sanctioned by the state government to local bodies.
> Recommends to the Central F.C for the sanction of funds from the Center.

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> Article 243-J? Auditing
- Informs about auditing the expenses and accounts incurred by local bodies on various items.
- Currently in our state, auditing is being done through Local Fund Audit, departmental audit, and General Audit.
-
> Article 243-K; State Election Commission
- Indicates the establishment of State Election Commissions at the state level for the conduct of elections to local bodies.
> The State E.C. is appointed by the Governor.
> The Commissioner is removed by the President in the same manner as an H.C judge is removed.
> Article 243-L: Application to Union Territories
- The Central Government itself will apply this Act in the Union Territories.
- Even if the legislatures of Delhi and Puducherry make laws regarding these bodies, they should act according to the guidelines of the Central Government.
> Article 243-M: Exemptions
- There is an exemption from establishing local bodies in areas where STs have the opportunity to form Tribal Development Councils.
* This is not implemented in Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram.
* It is also exempted from being established in some parts of Assam, some parts of Manipur, and the Gorkhaland area of West Bengal.
> Article 243-N: Applicability of old laws
- The old laws of that state can be in force for one year after this Act comes into force.
- The government can also repeal them.
* State governments can make their own laws without contradicting the basic structure of the 73rd Amendment.

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> Article 243-O: Election Tribunals
- Election Tribunals should be established to resolve disputes related to elections to local bodies.
- Lower courts in AP, such as Munsif and Magistrate courts, are hearing these election disputes.
- The courts are hearing as tribunals and not as courts.
- These tribunals cannot inquire into reservations, election schedules, etc.

Implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment:
> Article 243-I: F.Cs have been established in all the states of the country.
> Article 243-K: Election Commissions have been established in all the states.
> States that have transferred powers to local bodies on 29 items in the 11th Schedule: - West Bengal
- Kerala
- Karnataka
> AP has transferred powers to local bodies on 20 items related to 11 departments.
> The state that conducted direct elections to the bodies at all 3 levels after the 73rd Amendment under the name "Gram Swaraj": Madhya Pradesh
> When representatives of local bodies and public representatives are not functioning effectively, those who recommended introducing the "Recall" system to remove them in the middle: Mahatma Gandhiji
> The MP government has experimentally introduced a system of recalling representatives of local bodies.
> The first person to be removed through 'Recall': Chhabri Municipal Chairman
> 1st state to reserve 50% seats for women in local bodies: Bihar
> The state that is providing training through the "Gram Sat" satellite channel for training the representatives of local bodies: Karnataka

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* The state that made it compulsory to vote in local body elections: Gujarat.
> The state that is selecting the beneficiaries of government schemes only through 'Gram Sabha': Kerala.
> The state that established village-level bodies under the name of Village Development Council: Haryana.
> The state that has been conducting regular elections to local bodies since 1978: West Bengal.
> The state that canceled reservations for SCs in local bodies as there are no SCs: Arunachal Pradesh
> The year in which the law was amended to establish local bodies even in areas inhabited by STs and Scheduled Tribes: 1996.
> The central government specifically established the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in 2004.
> So far, District Planning Boards have been established in only 10 states, including AP.
> The committee that recommended the establishment of Social Justice Committees at the district level - The Vengal Rao Committee
> The organization that conducts research on rural development at the national level in India: NIRD [Hyderabad].
> The organization that is providing training to the representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions in AP and promoting research: Elimineti Madhava Reddy Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Research Institute.
> The organization with which the central government has entered into an agreement to provide training to the representatives of local bodies - IGNOU,
[Indira Gandhi National Open University].

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Panchayati Raj Institutions in Andhra Pradesh:
> These were first established in AP in 1959.
> Elections to local bodies were held for the first time in 1964.
> Sarpanch elections held in 1981 were conducted by direct method.
> The first state to establish the Mandal system based on the recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee, 'Karnataka, while the second is Andhra Pradesh
-
> In 1985, the NTR government abolished the Panchayat Samiti system and introduced the Mandal system.
> 324 Panchayats were abolished and 1104 Mandal Parishads were established.
> Direct elections to Mandal Parishads were held in 1987 on a party basis.
> The NTR government in AP abolished the Village Officers system in 1984.
> The 'Janmabhoomi' program was launched by Chandrababu Naidu in 1997.
> Gram Sabhas were established in AP in 2000.
> The Panchayati Raj Act currently in force was introduced in 1994.
> Reservations for BCs were provided in 1994.
> Currently, 34% reservations are available for BCs in local bodies in our state.
Gram Panchayat:
> Total number of Gram Panchayats in India: 2, 34, 676
> The State Panchayati Raj Act currently in force was established based on the recommendations of the BPR Vithal Committee.
> Gram Panchayat is called the 'basic' and 'primary body' in Panchayati Raj institutions.
> Gram Panchayats in Andhra Pradesh: 21, 913
> The District Collector establishes Gram Panchayats based on the guidelines determined by the State Legislature and the State Government.
> The laws made by the State Legislature regarding the establishment of the Panchayati Raj system are supreme.

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> Gram Panchayats are of 2 types.
(a) Major Gram Panchayats → Income more than 60,000/-.
(b) Minor Gram Panchayats → Less than that
> The number of ward members in Gram Panchayats is determined as follows.
If the population is less than 300 → 5 members
300 to 500 → 7 members
500 to 1500 → 9 members
1500 to 3000 → 11 members
3000 to 5000 → 13 members
5000 to 10,000 → 15 members
10,000 to 15,000 → 17 members
15,000 to 20,000 → 19 members
20,000 and above → 21 members

Gram Sabha:-
> Acts as the basis for the Gram Panchayat. .
> All the voters in the village are its members.
> Meets twice a year. April - April 14
> The Gram Sarpanch presides over the meetings.
> In the absence of the Sarpanch, the Upasarpanch presides.
> The quorum of the Gram Sabha is 1/10th.
> Special meetings can be held at the request of 1/10th of the members.
> If the Sarpanch and Upasarpanch fail to conduct special meetings, the District Panchayati Raj Officer can conduct special meetings.
> The Gram Sabha is key in the approval of the village budget.
> The Gram Panchayat is responsible to the Gram Sabha.
> Plays a key role in formulating necessary policies for village development.

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Gram Panchayat:--
> The number of wards in that village is determined based on the village population.
> Reservations apply to ward members.
> Reservations for ward members are decided at the Revenue Division level [RDO].
> SC, ST seats are reserved according to their population & 34% seats for BCs.
> ½ seats are reserved for women.
> Ward members elect the Upasarpanch.
> Reservations do not apply to the posts of Upasarpanch.
> Candidates contesting for ward membership should deposit 60/-.
> Candidates contesting for Sarpanch
> Gram Panchayat meeting is mandatory once every 30 days..
> The quorum for meetings is 1/3rd.
> Special meetings can be held at the request of the quorum members.
> The Collector can take action against those who do not conduct meetings for 90 consecutive days.
> The Sarpanch presides over the Panchayat meetings,
> In the absence of the Sarpanch, the Upasarpanch presides.
> Ward members take oath in the presence of the stage -II officer.
> Ward members submit their resignation to the MDO.
> A no-confidence motion can be introduced against the Upasarpanch.
> A no-confidence motion can be introduced only once during the term of the Upasarpanch.
> If the post of Upasarpanch falls vacant for any reason, a new Upasarpanch should be elected within 30 days.
> When proposing a no-confidence motion, a notice with the signatures of at least 1/3rd of the members should be submitted to the RDO.
> The RDO will arrange a special meeting within a month of receiving the notice.
> The 'quorum' is considered to be the majority of the total number of members.
> The Upasarpanch can be removed with a simple majority.
> If the no-confidence motion is not discussed due to lack of 'quorum' for 3 consecutive times,
> The ward members do not have any salaries....
> They will be paid 75/- as sitting fees for attending the meetings.

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> Gram Panchayat is the executive branch in village governance.
Sarpanch:--
> Elected directly by the general voters.
> Reservations apply to Sarpanch posts.
> Reservations for Sarpanch posts are decided by taking the district as a unit.
> The Sarpanch, who presides over the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat, attends the Mandal Parishad meetings as a permanent invitee.
> General candidates contesting for Sarpanch should deposit 200/-, while SC and ST candidates should deposit 60/-.
> To get the deposit back, 1/6th of the votes should be secured.
> Major Panchayat Sarpanches receive 1500/-, and Minor Panchayat Sarpanches receive 1000/- as honorarium.
> Gram Panchayat Sarpanches take oath in the presence of the Stage-II officer.
> The resignation letter should be submitted to the District Panchayati Raj Officer.
> Sarpanches cannot be removed through a no-confidence motion.
> If the post of Sarpanch falls vacant for any reason, elections should be held within 4 months.
> If the term is less than 6 months, by-elections are not necessary.
> The Collector can suspend the Sarpanches when they fail to submit the audit report of expenses, misuse check power, and fail to conduct meetings.
> The Collector can remove them if irregularities are proven in the investigation of the Panchayati Raj Department.
> The Collector issues the removal orders.
> The Sarpanch prepares the agenda of the Gram Panchayat with the cooperation of the Gram Officer.
> The Sarpanch is the key person in implementing the Panchayat resolutions.
* After the abolition of the Village Officers system in 1984, the VDOs appointed by the government are acting as CEOs in the Gram Panchayat.
* The Gram Officer sends the Panchayat resolutions to the Panchayati Raj Department.
* Acts as CEO in the implementation of resolutions.
* When the posts of Sarpanch and Upasarpanch are vacant, the VDO performs the village administration duties as per the orders of the District Panchayati Raj Officer.
+ Among the 3 levels of the Panchayati Raj system, only the Panchayat has the power to levy taxes.