Village Level: Gram Panchayat

Village Level: Gram Panchayat

The Gram Panchayat (Village Council, Village Panchayat) is the only grassroots-level body to be formalized under the PRI's in India at the village or small-town level. 

A Gram Panchayat comprises a total of 7 to 17 members. These members are elected from the wards of the village and are referred to as Panch. A Sarpanch serves as its elected head. The Panch is selected by the village people, and one-third of the total seats are reserved for women. One term served by members of a Gram Panchayat spans 5 years. A Gram Panchyat can be established in a village only if its population consists of at least 300 people who are of voting age (18 years and above).

Following is an indicative list of key functions of a Gram Panchayat:

  1. Constructing and repairing roads in villages
  2. Maintaining street lights
  3. Keeping a record of births, deaths, and marriages in the village
  4. Providing facilities for sanitation and drinking water
  5. Providing free education
  6. Organizing meetings of Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat
  7. Providing health services and facilities
  8. Implementing development schemes related to agriculture and animal husbandry
  9. Planting trees in and around the village and to protect the environment
  10. Maintaining public parks and playgrounds
  11. Implementing various government schemes