About gr panchayath from K. Park Community medicine
Reading File
Finding Sources
Finding Sources
Reading File
Reading File
I now have all the content needed. Here is the complete answer from K. Park's textbook:
Gram Panchayat - K. Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine
Panchayati Raj - Overview
The Panchayati Raj is a 3-tier structure of rural local self-government in India, linking the village to the district. The three institutions are:
| Level | Institution |
|---|---|
| Village level | Gram Panchayat |
| Block level | Panchayat Samiti (Janpada Panchayat) |
| District level | Zilla Parishad |
The Panchayati Raj institutions are accepted as agencies of public welfare. All development programmes are channelled through these bodies. They strengthen democracy at its roots and ensure more effective participation of the people in government.
Village Level Structure
The Panchayati Raj at the village level consists of three organs:
- Gram Sabha
- Gram Panchayat
- Nyaya Panchayat
Gram Sabha
- It is the assembly of all the adults of the village
- Meets at least twice a year
- Functions:
- Considers proposals for taxation
- Discusses the annual programme
- Elects members of the Gram Panchayat
Gram Panchayat
- It is the executive organ of the Gram Sabha
- Acts as an agency for planning and development at the village level
Composition
- Strength varies from 9 to 30 members (varies by source within the same text: one section says 15-30, another says 9-15)
- Population covered: 5,000 to 15,000 or more
- Members hold office for 3 to 4 years
- Has an elected:
- President (Sarpanch / Sabhpati / Mukhiya)
- Vice-President
- Panchayat Secretary
Panchayat Secretary
The powers and functions of the Panchayat Secretary are very wide - they cover:
- The entire field of civic administration
- Sanitation and public health
- Social and economic development of the village
Functions/Responsibilities of Gram Panchayat
- Agricultural production
- Rural industries
- Medical relief
- Mother and child health (MCH)
- Maintenance of village roads and streets
- Maintenance of tanks and sanitation
- It is envisaged that Panchayat institutions will control everything including primary health centres and local schools
Taxation
- Panchayati Raj institutions have their own powers of taxation
Nyaya Panchayat (Judicial Panchayat)
- Village courts established for the speedy dispensation of justice
Democratic Decentralization
Gram Panchayats represent the concept of democratic decentralization - the principle that in democratic societies, power should be distributed as much as possible to the people so they can manage their own affairs. The Panchayati Raj in India is described as "nothing but democratic decentralization."
Role in Public Health
The Gram Panchayat is directly relevant to health in several ways:
- ASHA works with the Village Health and Sanitation Committee of the Gram Panchayat to develop a comprehensive village health plan
- Under Swajaldhara (rural drinking water programme): the Gram Panchayat or village water and sanitation committee manages the water project on completion
- The Gram Panchayat is responsible for sanitation, medical relief, and MCH at the village level
Source: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, Chapter on Health Administration / Panchayati Raj
This is a shared conversation. Sign in to Orris to start your own chat.