Page 207 - SST Class 06

Gram Panchayat television sets of the panchayat.

Gram Panchayat consists of a village or a group Sources of Income : The Panchayat system
of villages divided into smaller units called Wards. receives income from various sources like taxes
Each ward selects or elects a representative who on houses, shops and fairs, registration fees on
is known as the Panch or ward member. The purchase and sale of cattle, sale of public prop-
members of the Gram Sabha elect the ward erty and grants from the State government. The
members through a direct election. The income supposed to be spent on the welfare of
Sarpanch or the President of the Gram the village.
Panchayat is elected by the ward members as per Nayaya Panchayat
the State Act. The Sarpanch and the Panch are
The Nyaya Panchayat is like a local court. It is an
elected for a period of five years. Gram
important part of the Gram Panchayat. Its
Panchayat is governed by the elected body and
purpose is to settle minor disputes and provide
administration. The secretary is normally in
justice quickly and cheaply. There is one Nyaya
charge of the administrative duties of the Gram Panchayat for several villages. Members of the
Panchayat. Nayaya Panchayat are elected by the Gram
Functions : The Gram Panchayat has various Panchayats. But, rules do not permit a member
duties. The main emphasis is on developmental of a Gram Panchayat to be a member of a
activities such as agriculture, primary education, Nyaya Panchayat at the same time.
health, sanitation, etc. The Gram Panchayat is
responsible for implementing the Community
Development Programme at the village level.
The members of the Gram Panchayat are in
charge of the affairs of the village. The Gram
Panchayat is supposed to ensure a proper supply
of drinking water to the village. It has to maintain
wells, tanks and pumps. It also has to see that
cleanliness is maintained in the village. If needed,
the Gram Panchayat has the power to even serve
a notice for this purpose. Upkeep of roads and
lighting arrangements are another responsibility Nyaya Panchayat
of the Gram Panchayat. It is also expected to The Nyaya Panchayat can pass judgements on
plant trees and attend to minor irrigation prob- petty civil and criminal cases. The members
lems. study both sides of the case and give a ruling.
Gram Panchayats can also attend to complaints The Nayaya Panchayat only possesses the power
against village officials like the patwari or lekhpal, to impose a fine. It cannot sentence a person to
police constable, chowkidar and vaccinator. If jail. Neither lawyers nor much money are needed
needed, it can take matters to higher authorities. for pursuing a case in a Nyaya Panchayat. So,
It can also take on other duties. These include the process of justice in a Nyaya Panchayat is
organising village markets, running health centers swift, simple and inexpensive. If a person feels
and immunisation programs, organising sports that he or she has not received justice, then an
and providing and maintaining radio and appeal can be made at a higher court of justice.

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