The Karnataka Panchayath Raj Bill, 1993 seeks to replace the Karnataka Zill Parisath’s, Taluk Panchayath samithi’s, Mandala Panchayath’s and Nyaya Panchayath’s Act 1983 Consequent upon the changes proposed in the 73rd Constitution(Amendment)Bill,1991.
The Bill is to establish a three tier Panchayat Raj system in the state with the elected bodies of grama,taluk and district level for greater participation of people and more effective implementation of rural development programmes in the state.
Grama Panchayat is the first tier of Panchayat Raj institution which comprises of a village or group of villages. The Grama Panchayat consist of such number of elected members as may be notified from time to time by the state election commission at the rate of one member for every 400 population or part their of the Panchayat area. Number of seats reserved for SC and ST is in proportion to population of SC and ST, however at least one seat each is reserved in Grama Panchayat for person belonging to SC, ST. as nearly as may be 1/3rd of the total seats of the Grama Panchayat is reserved for the person belonging to the backward classes. Minimum 50% of seats is reserved for women. Every Grama Panchayat has a president and vice president which are chosen by elected members of Grama Panchayat from amongst themselves as per the provision of section 45 of Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act,1993. Section 49 of Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993 provides for motion of no confidence against the president or vice president of the Grama Panchayat. The corum for a meeting for Grama Panchayat is 50% of the total number of members. Grama Panchayat performs all the functions provided in section 58 of Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act, 1993.Elected bodies are Grama, Taluk and District level. There are 98 GP in the district.
| Zilla Panchayat —>At the district level |
| Taluka Panchayat —> At the taluka level |
| Grampanchayat —> Group of villages notified as a gram panchayat |
Taluk Panchayats are the intermediate tier of the Panchayat Raj Institutions at the taluka level. Since 1999, certain specified development schemes earlier executed by the Zilla Panchayat have been transferred and delegated to the Taluk Panchayats for implementation. Gram Panchayats are the lowest tier of Panchayat Raj Institutions, They have responsibilities of civic administration with independent power of taxation.
The work of Zilla Panchayat can be divided into following sections
Administration Section : Headed by Deputy Secretary, This section is concerned with the establishment issues and general administration of all the departments of Zilla Panchayat.
Development Section : Headed by Deputy Secretary, This section is concerned with execution of all rural development schemes, water supply schemes, Minor irrigation works, road works and other developmental works.
Accounts Section : Headed by Chief Accounts Officer, This section is responsible for receipts and releases of funds regarding all departments and various development schemes. Also this section is involved in taking up audit of all the departments coming under Zilla Panchayat.
Planning Section : Headed by Chief Planning Officer, This section looks after formulation of Draft Annual Plan, formulation of action plan for different development schemes & monitoring & evaluation of schemes.
Council Section : This section is concerned with recording the deliberations of Zilla Panchayat and various standing committees, It also follows up on various decisions taken therein & other issues regarding the Zilla Panchayat members.
