By Sreekutty & Nihala Navas
The governing of the advance system at the district level in Panchayat Raj is also popularly known as Zila Parishad. The chief of administration is an officer of the IAS cadre and chief officer of the Panchayat raj for the district level.
Composition
The membership varies from 40 to 60 and usually comprises:
- Deputy Commissioner of the District.
- Presidents of all Panchayat Samitis in the district.
- Heads of all Government Departments in the district.
- Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assemblies in the district.
- A representative of each cooperative society.
- Some women and Scheduled Caste members, if not adequately represented.
- Co-opted members having extraordinary experience and achievements in public service.
Functions
- Provide essential services and facilities to the rural population.
- Supply improved seeds to farmers and inform them of new farming techniques.
- Set up and run schools and libraries in rural areas.
- Start primary health centers and hospitals in villages; start vaccination drives against epidemics.
- Execute plans for the development of the scheduled castes and tribes; run ashram shalas for Adivasi children; set up free hostels for them.
- Encourage entrepreneurs to start small-scale industries and implement rural employment schemes.
- Construct bridges, roads and other public facilities and their maintenance
- Provide employment.
- Works on Sanitation related issues.
Littérateurs 