Chapter VI Chapter VI

Powers and Duties of Zilla Panchayat

1. (1) Subject to any general or special directions of the State Government, a Zilla Panchayat shall have power in respect of
   • (a) regulating melas or haats within its local limits;
   • (b) construction and maintenance of Panchayat Ghars, Dharamsalas and rest houses;
   • (c) construction, repair and maintenance of such small irrigation projects of such class or types thereof, as may be specified by the State Government by general or special order in this behalf, and regulating of supply of water there from for irrigation purposes;
   • (d) regulating supply by water for irrigation or drinking water supply schemes constructed by the Government and entrusted to it for maintenance and repair;
   • (e) regulating, maintaining and developing of lands vested in it by the Government;
   • (f) organizing plantation programme in the public land, road sides and such other places as may be specified for promotion of social forestry and environmental conservation and maintaining and regulating of such forests;
   • (g) establishing and maintaining primary schools and organizing adult education centers;
   • (h) establishing health centres and maternity and child welfare centres;
     • (i) managing or maintaining any works of public utility and adopting measures for the relief of distress;
   • (j) preparing plans for all round development of the district after obtaining previous approval of the Government and with such technical assistance as may be made available by the Government;
   • (k) coordinating and integrating development plans and schemes prepared by Gram Panchayat within its jurisdiction
   • (l) fulfilling any other obligation imposed by or under this Act or by any, other law for the time being in force or by general or special order of the Government in this behalf.

1. (1) Subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the State Government, Zilla Panchayat , may if the State government so directs, make provisions for
   • (a) the promotion of opportunity of employment through community farming by organizing model agriculture or dairy farms and, small scale village industries;
   • (b) the organization and maintenance of clubs and other places for recreation or games;
   • (c) establishment and maintenance of library or reading rooms and public radio listening centres;
   • (d) construction and maintenance of destitute homes, slaughter houses and encamping grounds;
   • (e) rendering assistance in extinguishing fire and protecting life and property when fire occurs;
   • (f) assisting in the prevention of burglary and dacoity;
   • (g) the promotion of socio cultural and communal harmony
   • (h) the promotion of agriculture and allied activities connected with it;
     • (i) any other local work or service of public utility which is likely to promote the health, comfort, convenience or material prosperity of the public not otherwise provided for in this Act.
2. (2) Where the State Government directs a Zilla Panchayat to make provision for any of the items enumerated in sub-section (1), it shall place such funds at the disposal of the Zilla Panchayat as may be required for making such provision.
3. (3) A Zilla Panchayat shall have the power to advise the State Government on all matters relating to the development works in the Gram Panchayats.
4. (4) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1), a Zilla Panchayat shall not undertake or execute any scheme confined to a Gram unless the implementation of such a scheme is beyond the competence of the Gram Panchayat concerned financially or otherwise. In the latter case the Zilla Panchayat may execute the scheme itself or entrust its execution to the Gram Panchayat and give such assistance as may be required:

Vesting of Zilla Panchayat with certain powers

1. (1) A Zilla Panchayat may be vested by the State Government with such powers under any local or special Act as the State Government may think fit.
2. (2) A Zilla Panchayat shall exercise such other powers, perform such other functions or discharge such other duties as the State Government may, by general or special, order, direct.

The Zilla Panchayats of two or more adjacent districts may jointly undertake and execute at common cost any development scheme or project on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon, and in case of any difference as to the interpretation of such terms and conditions the matter shall be referred to the State Government whose decision shall be final.

A Zilla Panchayat shall exercise general powers of supervision over Gram Panchayats in the district and it shall be the duty of Gram Panchayat to give effect to any direction of the Zilla Panchayat on matters of policy or planning for development.