Structure of Panchayati Raj in Himachal Pradesh

Panchayati Raj system in Himachal Pradesh was established in a statutory form under the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1952 in the year 1954. Panchayati Raj in HP has four section which are explained below.

GRAM SABHA AND UP-GRAM SABHA

• Gram Sabha have been empowered to form Vigilance Committee(s) from amongst their members to supervise Gram Panchayats works, schemes and other activities.
• No Member of Gram Panchayat is eligible to become member of the Vigilance Committee.
• It has been made mandatory for every Gram Sabha to hold Four General Meetings every year, besides Special Meetings.
• The District Panchayat Officer concerned shall notify Gram Panchayat-wise dates for the Gram Sabha meetings within the District.
• The accounts of the Panchayats are to be placed before the Gram Sabha meetings for consideration and approval.
• The Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act has also been amended and under the amended provisions, there shall be constituted a Up-Gram Sabha for each Ward of the Gram Sabha and all Members of the Gram Sabha, residing in the area of the Ward shall be the Members of Up-Gram Sabha.
• Every Up-Gram Sabha is required to hold two General Meetings every year and it shall be the responsibility of the Member of the Gram Panchayat to convene such meetings.
• The Up-Gram Sabha may deliberate on issues relating to its area and make recommendations to the Gram Panchayat or Gram Sabha.
• The village level functionaries of the Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Primary Education, Forest, Health and Family Welfare, Horticulture, Irrigation and Public Health, Revenue and Social justice & Empowerment Departments shall attend the meetings of the Gram Sabha in whose jurisdiction they are posted.

GRAM PANCHAYAT

• Gram Panchayats are constituted for a village or group of villages having population ranging from 1000 to 5000.
• In Scheduled and other far flung areas, Gram Panchayats are also constituted for a population of less than 1000.
• The number of members of Gram Panchayat is determined on the basis of population which ranges from 5 to 13 excluding Pradhan and Up-Pradhan.

PANCHAYAT SAMITI

• Intermediate body of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in the State is called Panchayat Samiti.
• Members of Panchayat Samiti are elected directly whereas the Chair-Persons and Vice-Chairperson are elected indirectly by the elected Members.
• The number of elected Members of Panchayat Samiti is determined by the Govt. at the rate of one Member for every 3500 population or part there of subject to a minimum of 15 Members.
• The panchayat samiti collects all the prospective plans prepared at Gram Panchayat level and process them for funding and implementation by evaluating them from the angles of financial constraints, social welfare, and area development.

ZILA PARISHADS

• This is uppermost body of the Panchayati Raj System.
• In H.P Zila Parishads were constituted for the first time after the enactment of new law relating to Panchayati Raj System Consequent upon the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
• Presently there are 12 Zila Parishads in this State.
• The Members of Zila Parishad are elected directly by the people. Additional Deputy Commissioner/ADM has been designated as Chief Executive Officer, whereas District Panchayat Officer is the Secretary of Zila Parishad.
• The Zila Parishad aims at development at the district level and providing civil amenities for the people in the particular area that comes under the Zila Parishad.

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