Civics Chapter 04: Panchayati Raj

The Gram Panchayat meets regularly and one of its main tasks is to implement development programmes for all villages that come under it.

The Panchayati Raj System is a process through which people participate in their own government. In rural areas, the Gram Panchayat is the first tier or level of democratic government. The Panchs and the Gram Panchayat are answerable to the Gram Sabha because it is the members of the Gram Sabha who elected them.

The Panchayat Samiti has many Gram Panchayats under it. Above the Panchayat Samiti is the District Panchayat or the Zila Parishad.

Within the guidelines given in the Constitution each state in the country has its own laws with regard to Panchayats.