Panchayat Samiti
Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate or the middle tier of the Panchayati Raj System. These are named differently in different States. Its organization and functions also vary as these are determined by the Act passed by the concerned State. It coordinates all the activities of the Panchayats in a Block.
Composition
A Panchayat Samiti is constituted by the following members:
- All the Sarpanches (Mukhias) or Chairpersons of the Gram Panchayats within the Block
- MPs, MLAs and MLCs of that Block
- Some directly elected Members
- Elected Members of Zila Parishad from that Block
- Some Officers of that Block
The term of each Panchayat Samiti is five years in all states. In its very first meeting, each Panchayat Samiti elects two of its members as Chairperson and ViceChairperson. Chairpersonships of at least 1/3rd Panchayat Samities stand reserved for women members. Some of the offices of Chairperson are reserved for members belonging to Scheduled Castes.
The members of a Panchayat Samiti can remove the Chairperson by passing a resolution supported by 2/3rd majority. A Panchayat Samiti usually meets at least six times in one year. There cannot be a gap of more than two months between its two meetings.