Ans.
·
State Legislatures have the legislative power,
to confer on the Panchayats such powers and authority as may be necessary to
enable them to function as institutions of self- government. They may be
entrusted with the responsibility of:
·
Preparing plans for economic development and
social justice,
·
Implementation of schemes for economic
development and social justice
·
In regard to matters listed in the Eleventh
Schedule. This Schedule contains 29 items, e.g., land improvement, minor
irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, education, woman and child
development. A State may by law authorize a Panchayat to levy, collect and
appropriate taxes, duties, tolls etc.
·
A State Election Commission consisting of a
State Election Commissioner is to be appointed by the Governor to conduct
elections to the Panchayats. Any question with respect to elections shall be
referred to such authority as the State Legislature may provide by law. Courts
will have no jurisdiction in this matter.
·
The panchayati raj is a South Asian political
system mainly in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. It is the oldest system
of local government in the Indian subcontinent. The word "panchayat"
literally means "assembly" (ayat) of five (panch) wise and respected
elders chosen and accepted by the local community. However, there are different
forms of assemblies.
·
Traditionally, these assemblies settled
disputes between individuals and villages. Modern Indian government has
decentralized several administrative functions to the local level, empowering
elected gram panchayats. Gram panchayats are not to be confused with the
unelected khap panchayats (or caste panchayats) found in some parts of India.
