The three-tier system of Panchayati Raj in India was established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. This system comprises three levels of local self-government institutions, namely:
- Gram Panchayat: The Village Panchayat or Gram Panchayat is the lowest level of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in India. It is a local self-government institution that is responsible for the administration of a single village or group of villages. The Gram Panchayat is headed by a Sarpanch who is elected by the members of the Gram Sabha. The Gram Panchayat has various responsibilities such as providing basic civic amenities like water supply, sanitation, street lighting, and maintenance of roads and public places. It is also responsible for the implementation of various rural development schemes and programs.The Gram Panchayat has the power to make laws on a number of subjects, including land use, health, education, and rural development. It is also responsible for the implementation of various rural development schemes and programs. The members of the Gram Panchayat are elected directly by the people of the village. The elections are held once every five years, and women and members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are given reservation in the elections. The Gram Panchayat also has the power to impose taxes and collect revenue for the administration and development of the village. The revenue is collected through various sources such as property tax, water tax, and sanitation tax.
- Block Panchayat/Mandal Panchayat: Block Panchayat or Mandal Panchayat is a local government body in India that exists at the block level. A block is a sub-district or a group of villages in a district. The Block Panchayat or Mandal Panchayat is responsible for the administration of rural areas within their jurisdiction.The Block Panchayat or Mandal Panchayat is headed by an elected representative called the Block Pramukh or Mandal President, who is elected by the members of the Panchayat. The members of the Block Panchayat or Mandal Panchayat are elected by the people of the rural areas under their jurisdiction through a direct election. The Block Panchayat or Mandal Panchayat has several committees that are responsible for different functions such as health, education, finance, and social welfare. These committees are headed by elected representatives who work together to ensure the overall development of the rural areas under their jurisdiction.
- District Panchayat/Zilla Panchayat: District Panchayat or Zilla Panchayat is a local government body in India that exists at the district level. It is a democratic institution responsible for the administration of rural and semi-urban areas within its jurisdiction. The District Panchayat or Zilla Panchayat is the highest tier of the three-tier system of Panchayati Raj.The District Panchayat or Zilla Panchayat is headed by an elected representative called the Zilla Panchayat President or Zilla Parishad President, who is elected by the members of the Panchayat. The members of the District Panchayat or Zilla Panchayat are elected by the people of the rural and semi-urban areas under their jurisdiction through a direct election. The District Panchayat or Zilla Panchayat has several committees that are responsible for different functions such as health, education, finance, and social welfare. These committees are headed by elected representatives who work together to ensure the overall development of the areas under their jurisdiction. The District Panchayat or Zilla Panchayat also has the power to levy and collect taxes, fees, and other charges within its jurisdiction. It can also receive grants from the state and central government to carry out development activities.
The three-tier system of Panchayati Raj aims to decentralize power and decision-making to the grassroots level, and empower local communities to participate in the development process. The Panchayati Raj system has been instrumental in the implementation of various development schemes and programs at the local level, and has helped to improve the delivery of basic services like health, education, and sanitation in rural areas.