Question

Name the apex body of the Panchayat Raj System:
State its composition.

Answer 1

The Zila Parishad is an apex body under the Panchayati Raj. It co-ordinates the activities of the various Panchayat Samitis. It consists of

1. Pradhans of the Panchayat Samitis of the District;
2. Members of Parliament and Members of State Legislature from that district;
3. One representative of each of the co-operative societies of the district;
4. The representative of women, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes;
5. Chairpersons of the Municipalities in the district. In some states, the District Magistrate is empowered to attend the meetings of the Zila Parishad, but he does not have the right to vote. Zila Parishads shall have to uniform a 5-year term as per the norms and conditions of the new Panchayati Raj Acts. Each Zila Parishad has a Chairperson who is elected by the members of the Parishad. In proportion to their population in the State, Chairpersons shall be reserved in favour of SCs and STs 1/3rd of the offices are reserved for women.