In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—
(a) “Panchayat” means an institution of self-government for the rural areas; and
(b) “Gram Sabha” means the body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of a Panchayat at the village level;
Gram Sabha shall consist of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village within the area of a Panchayat at the village level, and shall exercise such powers and perform such functions at the village level as the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide.
There shall be constituted in every State, Panchayats at the village, intermediate and district levels in accordance with such principles as the Legislature of the State may, by law, specify.
Panchayats shall consist of members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the Panchayat area in such manner as the Legislature of the State may provide.
(1) Seats shall be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in every Panchayat in such proportion as the population of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes bears to the total population of the Panchayat area.
(2) Seats may also be reserved for women in every Panchayat at all levels in such manner as the Legislature of the State may provide.
Every Panchayat shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and no Panchayat shall continue beyond its term.
The Legislature of a State may endow Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government, and to perform the functions assigned to them under the Eleventh Schedule.
Panchayats may levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees in accordance with the law made by the Legislature of the State.
The Governor of a State shall, within one year from the commencement of this Part, constitute a Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats and recommend measures needed to improve their financial resources.
The Panchayats shall prepare plans for economic development and social justice, including the integrated development plan for the Panchayat area, in accordance with the law made by the Legislature of the State.
The State Election Commission shall direct, control and prepare for, and conduct, all elections to the Panchayats and to the offices of Chairpersons of Panchayats at different levels.
The provisions of this Part shall apply to the Union Territories in such manner as Parliament may, by law, provide.
There shall be constituted in every district a District Planning Committee to consolidate the plans prepared by Panchayats and Municipalities in the district and to prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole.
In every metropolitan area, a Metropolitan Planning Committee shall be constituted to prepare a draft development plan for the metropolitan area as a whole.
The Legislature of a State may, by law, confer on Panchayats at different levels such powers and responsibilities as may be necessary for effective functioning.
The provisions of this Part shall apply to the Union Territories in such manner as Parliament may, by law, provide.