Local Government is a government of the local people. Being located nearest to the local people, local government institutions are under constant observation of the society. It is said that Local Government provides services to the individual from "cradle to the grave."
The Government of India has empowered the institutions by 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts 1992, so that they may work for the welfare of the local people in a more effective manner.
Rural and Urban Local Government
The system of rural Local Government is known as Panchayati Raj System and includes Village Panchayat (Gram Panchayat), Panchayat or Block Samiti and Zila Parishad. The urban local government also has three kinds of institutional arrangement in different cities and towns known as Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils and Nagar Panchayats.
Panchayati Raj System
The founding fathers of the Constitution made provisions for Panchayati Raj system under the Directive Principles of State policy. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended the establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system: Gram Panchayats at village level, Panchayat Samiti at block level and Zila Parishad at the District level. However, it was the 73rd Constitutional Amendment 1992 that provided the present shape to the Panchayati Raj System.
Gram Panchayat
Village panchayat also called gram panchayat is the grass root institution of the Panchayati Raj System. At the village level there is a Gram Panchayat having a chairperson known as Gram Pradhan or Sarpanch (Mukhia), a Vice-Chairman and some panches. The village panchayat or gram panchayat is the Executive of Gram Sabha. All members of each Gram Sabha are voters who elect the members of the Gram Panchayat by a secret ballot.
Panchyat Samiti
Panchyat or Block Samiti is the middle tier of Panchayati Raj System.
Composition: All the Surpanches (Mukhias) of Gram Panchayats lying in that block area; MPs, MLAs and MLCs of that Block; directly elected members, elected members of Zila Parishad of that Block and some officers of that Block (Ex–officio members).
Zila Parishad
Zila Parishad is the apex body being the third tier of Panchayati Raj System. It is situated at the District level. It also has a term of 5 years.
Urban Local Government
The 74th Constitutional Amendment 1992 brought about major changes in the system of urban local government. Now three types of urban local government are functioning: (a) Municipal Corporations for big cities, (b) Municipal Councils for small cities and (c) Nagar Panchayat for those areas that are in transition from rural areas to urban areas.