Page 208 - SST Class 06

THE BLOCK LEVEL

The Block Samiti
Panchayat Samiti (also called Taluka Panchayats
or Block Panchayats) is the intermediate level in
Panchayati Raj Institutions. The Panchayat
Samiti acts as the link between Gram Panchayat
(Village) and District Panchayat (Zilla). These
blocks do not hold elections for the Panchayat
Samiti council seats. Rather, the block council
consists of all of the Sarpanchas and the Upa
Sarpanchas from each Gram Panchayat along Gram Sewak at Work
with members of the legislative assembly (MLA), for any such decision to be taken. Block Samitis
members of parliament (MPs), associate mem- are elected for a term of five years.
bers (like a representative from a cooperative All plans of the Block Samiti are implemented
society) and members from the Zilla Parishad with the help of the Block Development Officer
who are a part of the block. The Gram (BDO). The main function of the BDO is the
Panchayat members nominate their Sarpanch implementation of developmental plans prepared
and Upa-Sarpanch amongst their ranks, which by the Block Samiti. He or she is responsible for
extend to the selection of the chairperson and the whole block, the chairperson of the Block
vice-chairperson as well. The Executive Officer Samiti and the Block Development Officer play
(EO) is the head of the administration section of an important role in the success of the develop-
the Panchayat Samiti. mental programmed in a block.
Composition : Members of the Block Samitis Functions : A Block Samiti makes plans for the
are also elected. Apart from these members, the development of the whole block. A team of
chairpersons of all the Gram Panchayats, mem- experts in various fields like agriculture, animal
bers of the State Legislatures (Vidhan Sabha and husbandry, veterinary medicine, health care,
Vidhan Parishad) and members of Parliament education, rural industries, etc. is posted at the
(Lok-Sabha and Rajya Sabha), who have been block level. They work under the jurisdiction of
elected from that area, also form a part of the the Samiti. These experts known as Extension
Block Samiti. Officers help villagers in various ways. The expert
There are rules for proper representation of all in agricultural advises them about better variety
sections of society in a Block Samiti. Seats are of seeds, pesticides, new methods of cultivation,
reserved for the Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the etc. The expert in animal husbandry tells them
Scheduled Tribes (STs). One-third of the total about better breeds of cattle, their upkeep and
number of seats are reserved for women. maintenance. Educational experts organise
Members of a Block Samiti elect a chairperson schools and literacy programs. Guidance on
and a vice-chairperson. If members of a Block health care and family welfare is also provided.
Samiti feel that the chairperson is not discharging Sources of Income : A Block Samiti needs
his or her duties properly, they can remove the funds to implement its programs. There is a State
person by passing a vote of no-confidence Finance Commission which makes recommenda-
against him or her. A majority vote is necessary tions to the State government about the taxes,

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