Administrative duties

(1) Subject to such rules as may be prescribed, it shall be the duty of the Gram Panchayat, within the limits of the funds at its disposal, to make arrangements for carrying out the requirements of the Sabha area in respect of the following matters including subsidiary works and buildings connected therewith— (a) any public place including its sanitation and drains; (b) wells, water-pumps, baolies, spring, ponds and tanks for the supply of water for drinking, washing and bathing; (c) burial and cremation grounds; (d) the lighting of public places; (e) building for the accommodation of travellers; (f) pounds for animals; (g) the relief of the poor; (h) public health and sanitation; (i) the organization and celebrations of public festivals, other than religious festivals; (j) the improvement of the breeds of animals used for agricultural or domestic purposes; (k) public gardens, playgrounds, establishment and maintenance of recreation parks, organization of games and sports, supply of sports materials and holding of tournaments; (l) libraries and reading rooms; (m) the voluntary registration of the sales of cattle, camels, and horses; (n) the development of agriculture and village industries, and the destruction of weeds and pests; (o) starting and maintaining a grain fund for the cultivators and lending them seed for sowing purposes on such conditions as the Gram Panchayat may approve; (p) the construction, repair and maintenance of public places and buildings of public utility; (q) allotment of places for preparation and conservation of manure; (r) construction and maintenance of culverts and bridges; (s) the laying out of new roads and pathways and maintenance of existing ones; (t) framing and carrying out schemes for the improved methods of cultivation and management of land to increase production; (u) supply of water for domestic use and for cattle; (v) the organization of Young Farmers’ Club and Mahila Mandal for the organization of games and sports and execution of developmental, social and cultural works in the Sabha area; (w) planning and preservation of trees; (x) measures to promote the moral, social and material well being or convenience of the inhabitants of the Sabha area; (y) promotion of pisciculture; (z) community listening; (zz) organizing of village voluntary force for watch and ward and for assisting the Gram Panchayat in the discharge of its functions. (2) Subject to such exceptions as Government may, by general or special order, make, a Gram Panchayat may, and shall, if Government so directs or prescribes make provisions for:— (a) the establishment, maintenance and management of maternity and child welfare centres and the construction and repair of all buildings connected therewith; (b) medical relief and first-aid; (c) the promotion of agricultural credit and of measures including establishment of provision and implement stores and credit centres to relieve rural indebtedness and poverty; (d) establishment and maintenance of first-aid centres for animals; (e) relief against famine or other calamity; (f) providing such educational facilities as may be deemed necessary and desirable; and (g) any other matter which Government may declare to be fit and proper to be taken under the control and administration of the Gram Panchayat. Provided that nothing in this section shall be deemed to impose any duty or confer any power on the Gram Panchayat with respect to any matter which is under the direct administrative control of any department of Government or local authority, unless such duty or power has been transferred or delegated to the Gram Panchayat by order of Government or, as the case may be, of the local authority. Provided further that where Government makes any such direction, Government shall from time to time allot to the Panchayat such funds or place at the disposal of the Gram Panchayat such sources of income as it may deem sufficient. (3) It shall be the duty of the Gram Panchayat within the Sabha area to perform— (a) the duties of the Panchayat under the Village and Small Town Patrol Act or any other Act for the time being in force; and (b) such duties of village headmen in connection with village watchmen as Government may prescribe by rules under section 39-A of the Punjab Laws Act, 1872 or any other Act for the time being in force.