Functions of Zilla Panchayat.

1[184. Functions of Zilla Panchayat. - (1) The Zilla Panchayat shall perform the functions specified in Schedule III: 1. Subsection 1 and 2 Substituted by Act 29 of 1997 w.e.f. 20.10.1 997. Provided that where the State Government or Central Government provide funds for the performance of any function specified in Schedule III, the Zilla Panchayat shall perform such functions in accordance with the guidelines or norms laid down for perf ormance of such function. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub -section (1) or Schedule III, it shall be obligatory on the part of the Zilla Panchayat so far as the Zilla Panchayat fund at its disposal will allow, to make reasonable provisions wit hin the area under its jurisdiction, in respect of the following matters, namely: - (i) establishment of health centres including maternity centres so as to cover the entire population within five years, as per the norms laid down by the Government; (ii) construction of underground water recharge structures to ensure availability of water in the drinking water wells; (iii) prevention of drilling of irrigation borewells in the vicinity of drinking water wells to ensure adequate drinking water, specially in lean season; (iv) drawing up a plan for social forestry development in each taluk and spending not less than such percentage of the District Plan allocation every year as may be specified by the Government from time to time.]1 1[(3) The Zilla Panchay at shall be an unit of local self Government and the state shall endow the Zilla Panchayat with the powers, authority, functions, functionaries and subject to availability of funds as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of Local self-Government. (4) It shall be the duty of every Zilla Panchayat to meet the needs of people of the Panchayat area and shall have powers to administer the matters enumerated in schedule -III and also as elaborated in responsibility map in respect of Zilla Pa nchayats and so for as Zilla Panchayat fund shall allow, to prepare and implement schemes for economic, social, cultural development for the realisation of social justice for all. (5) The Zilla Panchayatshall meet the requirements of the Panchayat area an d respond to the needs and requests of the Gram Panchayat and Taluk Panchayats and 138 provide assistance as may be necessary in the area in respect of the matters enumerated in the schedule -III. (6) It shall be obligatory on the Zilla Panchayatto engage itse lf in the process of planning as envisaged in the Act. ]1 1. Inser ted by Act 44 of 2015 w.e.f. 25.02.2016.