The Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018

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Infrastructure2018308 sections

This legislation establishes a three-tier local self-governance system comprising Gram Panchayats, Mandal Praja Parishads, and Zilla Praja Parishads across rural regions of Telangana. It applies to all rural residents, elected village officials, administrative officers, and local bodies, while excluding major municipal areas, corporations, and cantonments. The law regulates local elections, administrative duties, revenue collection, sanitation, public health, land layouts, building permits, and rural infrastructure management. It matters because it empowers rural communities through local self-governance, ensures affirmative representation for marginalized groups and women, and strengthens accountable public service delivery and rural development across the state.

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1. Short title, extent, application and commencement.
2. Definitions.
3. Declaration of a village for the purposes of this Act.
4. Constitution of Gram Panchayats for villages and their incorporation.
5. Township.
6. Gram Sabha.
7. Total strength of a Gram Panchayat.
8. Election of Members.
9. Reservation of seats of members of Gram Panchayat.
10. Division of wards.
11. Section 11
12. Rearrangement and republication of electoral rolls.
13. Identification of Backward Class voters.
14. Term of office of members.
15. Election and term of office of Sarpanch or Upa-Sarpanch.
16. Training for the Sarpanches and Ward Members.
17. Reservation of office of Sarpanch.
18. Fresh elections in certain cases.
19. Qualification of candidates.
20. Disqualification of certain office holders etc.
21. Disqualification of candidates.
22. Disqualification on ground of corrupt practice of election offences.
23. Disqualification for failure to lodge account of election expenses.
24. Disqualification for failure to discharge the duties and perform the functions of Gram Panchyat.
25. Disqualification of members.
26. Restoration of members to office.
27. Authority to decide questions of disqualification of members.
28. Bar of Jurisdiction.
29. Resignation of Sarpanch, Upa-Sarpanch or members.
30. Motion of no-confidence in Upa-Sarpanch.
31. Cessation of Upa-Sarpanch.
32. Functions, duties and responsibilities of the Sarpanch.
33. Deemed removal of Sarpanch for failure to convene the meetings of Gram Sabha.
34. Deemed removal of Sarpanch and Panchayat Secretary for failure to close and audit of the accounts.
35. Power of Government to take action in default of a Gram Panchayat.
36. Power to issue directions.
37. Powers of District Collector to remove Sarpanch and intimate deemed removal.
38. Devolution and delegation of Sarpanch‘s powers and functions and filling up of vacancies in the office of Sarpanch.
39. Removal of temporary Sarpanch.
40. Rights of Individual Members.
41. No Sarpanch, Upa-Sarpanch or members to receive remuneration.
42. Appointment of Panchayat Secretary for a Gram Panchayat.
43. Duties and Responsibilities of Panchayat Secretary.
44. Emergency functions of Sarpanch.
45. Employees of Gram Panchayat.
46. Meetings of the Gram Panchayat and presidency at the meetings.
47. Minutes of proceedings.
48. Power to cancel or suspend a resolution of a Gram Panchayat.
49. Standing Committees of Panchayats.
50. Administration Report.
51. Powers of inspecting and superintending officers and of the Government.
52. Duties and Responsibilities of Gram Panchayat.
53. Transfer of management of forests to Gram Panchayats.
54. Transfer to Panchayats of Institutions or works.
55. Power of Government to transfer, resume, control of endowments and inams.
56. Limitation of power to accept donations and trusts.
57. Maintenance of cattle pounds.
58. Vesting of public roads in Gram Panchayats.
59. Collected sewage etc., to belong to Gram Panchayat.
60. Vesting communal property or income in Gram Panchayat.
61. Ferry management
62. Certain Government Porambokes to vest in Gram Panchayat etc.
63. Acquisition of immovable property required by Gram Panchayat.
64. Taxes leviable by Gram Panchayat.
65. House Tax.
66. Levy of house-tax on a direction by Government.
67. Special tax leviable by a Gram Panchayat.
68. Composition of tax payable by owner of a factory or a contiguous group of buildings.
69. Power to write off irrecoverable amounts.
70. Gram Panchayat Fund.
71. Expenditure from Gram Panchayat Fund.
72. Election expenses to be borne by the Government.
73. Preparation and sanction of budget.
74. Contribution to expenditure by other local authorities.
75. Setting apart of public tanks etc., for certain purposes.
76. Prohibition against the places so set apart for purposes other than those notified.
77. Contribution from persons having control over places of pilgrimage etc.,
78. Removal of rubbish or filth and debris.
79. Registration of burial and cremation grounds.
80. Licensing of places for disposal of the dead.
81. Provision of cremation and burial grounds.
82. A book to be kept of places registered, licensed or provided.
83. Prohibition against burying or cremation in unauthorized places
84. Notices to be given to Gram Panchayat of burials
85. Prohibition against use of burial and cremation grounds dangerous to health or overcrowded with graves
86. Power to control stray pigs or dogs
87. Prohibition against allowing outflow of filth
88. Power as to sanitation and conservancy
89. Prohibition against working of quarry near public roads
90. Prohibition against obstruction in or over public roads
91. Prohibition against and regulation of door, gate, bar or ground window opening outwards
92. Removal of encroachment
93. Power to allow certain projection and erections
94. Prohibition of building on sewer, drain etc.
95. Prohibition against making holes and causing obstruction in public roads
96. Prohibition against planting or felling trees on public roads without permission
97. No encroachment to be allowed on Gram Panchayat properties
98. Public markets
99. License for private markets
100. Fee for license
101. Powers exercisable by Gram Panchayat in respect of public markets
102. Powers exercisable by the Gram Panchayat in respect of private markets
103. Decisions of disputes as to whether places are markets
104. Prohibition of sale in unlicensed private market
105. Prohibition against sale in or upon public roads
106. Classification of markets
107. Classification of public roads, fairs and festivals
108. Public landing places, parking places and cart-stands
109. Private parking places and Cart-stands
110. Public slaughter houses
111. Prohibition or regulation of the use of places for slaughtering animals and licensing of slaughterers
112. Purposes for which places may not be used without license
113. Development of land and making of a layout
114. Approval of building permissions.
115. Power of Gram Panchayat to issue directions for abatement of nuisance or environmental pollution caused by steam or other power.
116. Form of licenses, notices, permissions.
117. Power of Government to pass order or give directions.
118. Authority to grant permission for temporary recreation events.
119. Power to name streets and number buildings.
120. General provisions regarding licenses and permissions.
121. Appeal from the order of Gram Panchayat.
122. Limitation of time for appeal.
123. Government and Market Committees not to obtain licenses and permissions.
124. Time for complying with notice, order and power to enforce in default.
125. Powers of entry and inspection.
126. Testing of weights and measures.
127. Power to call for information from Village-Level Functionaries of all Departments.
128. Persons empowered to prosecute.
129. Power to compound offences.
130. Prosecutions and compounding to be reported to Extension Officer (PR&RD).
131. Notice of action against Gram Panchayat.
132. Assistance of police to the Gram Panchayat.
133. Wrongful restraint of Sarpanch or Panchayat Secretary or their delegates.
134. Punishment for obstructing Gram Panchayat.
135. Penalty for not giving information or giving false information.
136. Special provisions in the case of Gram Panchayats.
137. Public roads, markets, wells, tanks etc., to be open to all.
138. Power to farm out fees.
139. Extension of provisions of law relating to District Municipalities or of rules thereunder.
140. Transfer of functions of Gram Panchayats to other local authorities or vice versa.
141. Constitution, Powers and Functions of the Tribunal.
142. Constitution and incorporation of Mandal Praja Parishads.
143. Composition of Mandal Praja Parishad.
144. Division of Mandal into constituencies.
145. Election of members from territorial constituencies.
146. Reservation of seats of members of Mandal Praja Parishad.
147. Election, reservation and term of office of President and Vice-President.
148. Resolution of disputes relating to cessation for disobedience of party whip.
149. Term of office of members of Mandal Praja Parishad.
150. Qualification of candidates for election.
151. Disqualifications.
152. Resignation of President, Vice-President or Member.
153. Permanent invitees to the meetings of the Mandal Praja Parishad.
154. President of Mandal Praja Parishad may invite certain persons to attend its meetings.
155. Rules for the conduct of the business at a meeting of a Mandal Praja Parishad.
156. Responsibilities, functions and powers of a Mandal Praja Parishad.
157. Maintenance of common water works and other institutions.
158. Power of Mandal Praja Parishad to call for documents from the Mandal Parishad Development Officer.
159. Power of Mandal Praja Parishad to call for information from Gram Panchayat.
160. Responsibilities, Functions and Powers of the President and Vice-President.
161. Right of individual member to draw attention in respect of Mandal Praja Parishad.
162. Responsibilities, functions and powers of the Mandal Parishad Development Officer.
163. The Mandal Parishad Development Officer and other officers and staff of a Mandal Praja Parishad to be subordinate to the Mandal Praja Parishad.
164. Officers and other employees of Mandal Praja Parishad.
165. Allowances for attending a meeting of the Mandal Praja Parishad.
166. Mandal Praja Parishad Fund.
167. Income and expenses of a Mandal Praja Parishad.
168. Election expenses to be borne by the Government.
169. Budget of Mandal Praja Parishad.
170. Joint Committee of Mandal Praja Parishad and other local authorities.
171. Constitution, powers and functions of Joint Committee.
172. Constitution, incorporation and Composition of Zilla Praja Parishad.
173. Mandal to be a territorial constituency.
174. Election of members from territorial constituencies.
175. Reservation of seats of members of Zilla Praja Parishad.
176. Election of "Chairperson" and "Vice-Chairperson".
177. Resolution of disputes relating to cessation for disobedience of party whip.
178. Term of office of a Member of a Zilla Praja Parishad.
179. Qualification of candidates for election.
180. Disqualifications.
181. Resignation of Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson or Member.
182. Appointment of Chief Executive Officer and his responsibilities, functions and powers.
183. Standing Committees of a Zilla Praja Parishad.
184. Permanent invitees to Zilla Praja Parishad.
185. Special invitees.
186. Rules for conduct of business at meetings.
187. Power of Zilla Praja Parishad or its Standing Committee to call for documents from Chief Executive Officer.
188. Responsibilities, functions and powers of the Zilla Praja Parishad.
189. Responsibilities, functions and powers of "Chairperson" and "Vice-Chairperson" of the Zilla Praja Parishad.
190. Rights of individual members to draw attention in respect of Zilla Praja Parishad works.
191. Officers and other employees of the Zilla Praja Parishad.
192. Allowance for attending meeting of a Zilla Praja Parishad or a Standing Committee.
193. Funds of the Zilla Praja Parishad.
194. Income and expenses of a Zilla Praja Parishad.
195. The Budget of the Zilla Praja Parishad.
196. Constitution of State Election Commission.
197. Powers and functions of the State Election Commissioner.
198. Notification and appointment of Returning Officers.
199. Voting Machines at Elections.
200. Symbols for elections under the Act.
201. Reservation to Backward Classes.
202. Voter Identity Cards.
203. Reservation of offices to cease on the expiration of the period specified in article 334 of the Constitution of India.
204. Injunctions not to be granted in election proceedings.
205. Requisitioning of premises for election purposes.
206. Payment of compensation.
207. Power to obtain information.
208. Eviction from requisitioned premises.
209. Penalty for contravention of any order regarding requisitioning.
210. Electoral officers and staff deemed to be on deputation.
211. Corrupt practices.
212. Penalty for illegal hiring or procuring of conveyance at elections.
213. Promoting enmity between classes in connection with an election.
214. Prohibition of public meetings before the date of poll.
215. Disturbance at election meetings.
216. Restrictions on the printing of pamphlets, posters etc.
217. Maintenance of secrecy of voting.
218. Officers etc. at elections not to act for candidates or to influence voting.
219. Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling stations.
220. Penalty for disorderly conduct in or near polling stations.
221. Penalty for misconduct at the polling station.
222. Penalty for failure to observe procedure for voting.
223. Prohibition of going armed to or near a polling station.
224. Breaches of official duty in connection with elections.
225. Penalty for Government servants for acting as election agent, polling agent or counting agent.
226. Offence of booth capturing.
227. Removal of ballot papers or ballot boxes from polling stations to be an offence.
228. Liquor not to be sold, given or distributed on polling day.
229. Adjournment of poll in emergencies.
230. Fresh poll in the case of destruction of ballot boxes.
231. Destruction, loss of ballot papers at the time of counting.
232. Impersonation at elections.
233. Other offences and penalties thereunder.
234. Penalty for offences not otherwise provided for.
235. Offences by Companies.
236. Application of Chapter.
237. Account of election expenses.
238. Lodging of account with the Mandal Parishad Development Officer and Chief Executive Officer.
239. Adjournment of poll or countermanding of election on the ground of booth capturing.
240. Power to delegate.
241. Appointment of Observers.
242. Election Petitions.
243. Prohibition of holding dual offices and vacation of seats.
244. Constitution of Finance Commission.
245. Qualifications for appointment as and the manner or selection of members of the Finance Commission.
246. Personal interest to disqualify members.
247. Disqualifications for being a member of the Finance Commission.
248. Term of office of members and eligibility for re-appointment.
249. Conditions of service and salaries and allowances of members.
250. Functions of the Finance Commission.
251. Procedure and powers of the Commission.
252. Application of this Part.
253. Declaration of village in Scheduled Areas.
254. Functions of Gram Sabha.
255. Reservation of seats of members of Gram Panchayats and Mandal Praja Parishads and Offices of Sarpanches of Gram Panchayats and Presidents of Mandal Praja Parishads.
256. Nomination of persons.
257. Acquisition of land in the Scheduled Areas.
258. Management of minor water bodies in the Scheduled Areas.
259. Minor minerals in the Scheduled Areas.
260. Powers and functions of Gram Panchayats and Mandal Praja Parishads.
261. Transfer of powers and functions of District Board to Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Praja Parishads.
262. Application of the relevant District Boards Act to Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Praja Parishads.
263. Motion of no-confidence in President or Chairperson.
264. Power to cancel or suspend resolution of a Mandal Praja Parishad or a Zilla Praja Parishad.
265. Power of Government to take action in default of a Mandal Praja Parishad or a Zilla Praja Parishad.
266. Power of Government to issue directions.
267. Powers of Government to remove President or Chairperson.
268. Powers of Government to dissolve Gram Panchayat, Mandal Praja Parishad or Zilla Praja Parishad.
269. Special provisions in the case of Gram Panchayat, Mandal Praja Parishad and Zilla Praja Parishad.
270. Acts of Gram Panchayats, Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Praja Parishads not to be invalidated by infirmity and vacancy.
271. Oath of allegiance.
272. Administration report.
273. Recovery of sums due to the Gram Panchayats, Mandal Praja Parishads or Zilla Praja Parishads as arrears of land revenue.
274. Power of entry of inspecting officers.
275. Power to call for records.
276. Protection of acts done in good faith.
277. Chairperson, President, Sarpanch to be public servants.
278. Power of Mandal Praja Parishad and Zilla Praja Parishad to make bye-laws.
279. Delegation of powers.
280. Power to transfer institutions and works.
281. Emergency powers of the Government, Commissioner and District Collector.
282. Power of review and revision by Government.
283. Liability of Sarpanch, President, Chairperson for loss, waste or misapplication of property.
284. Accounts and Audit.
285. Assessment not to be impeached.
285A. Reservation of seats and offices in Gram Panchayats, Mandal Praja Parishads and Zilla Praja Parishads.
286. Power of Government to make rules for the purposes of this Act.
287. Penalties for breach of rules.
288. Bye-Laws and penalties for their breach.
289. General provisions regarding penalties specified in Schedules III and IV.
290. Penalty for not handing over documents, moneys to the newly elected Sarpanch or Upa-Sarpanch of a Gram Panchayat.
291. Recovery of amounts due as taxes.
292. Adjudication of disputes between local authorities.
293. Act to be read subject to Schedules V and VI.
294. Power to remove difficulties.
295. Repeal and Saving.
296. Amendment of Act 9 of 1989.
297. Transitional provision in regard to elections.
43(11). Duties of Panchayat Secretary
43(12). Duties of Panchayat Secretary
43(3). Disqualification
82(2). Registration of places for disposal of the dead
unnumbered-1. Section unnumbered-1
198(1). Section 198(1)
198(2). Section 198(2)
215 (1). Section 215 (1)
215 (2). Section 215 (2)
215 (3). Section 215 (3)

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