Question

What are the functions of a Zila Parishad?

Answer 1

Hint: Although Panchayati Raj institutions in India have a long history going back over a thousand years, it was only 1992 that a bill incorporating provisions related with Panchayati Raj was enacted as the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act and it came into force in 1993. It was the first legislation that granted Panchayati Raj institutions constitutional status and ensured free, fair and regular elections to them. The Act provides for a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj with Gram Sabha as the base in villages, and above it, panchayats will be constituted at intermediate block and district levels. Zila Parishad functions as the district council.

Complete step by step solution:
The Zila Parishad is responsible for the implementation of schemes for social development and social justice as entrusted to them under the 11th Schedule. These matters include agriculture, land improvements, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, fisheries, social forestry and farm forestry, minor forest produce, small-scale industries, Khadi and other cottage industries, rural housing, drinking water, fuel and fodder, rural infrastructure, rural electrification, non-conventional energy sources, poverty alleviation programmes, education, technical and vocational training, libraries, health and sanitation, family welfare, women and child development, social welfare, the welfare of weaker sections and maintenance of community assets. The Zila Parishad also supervises the functioning of the block level councils and Gram Sabhas.

Note: The efforts to develop and organise rural local self-government began right after independence and the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, was the result of various recommendation committees and their reports regarding it, most notably the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1958), the Ashok Mehta Committee (1978) and the GVK Rao Committee (1985).