Rural local self-government is popularly known by the name Panchayati Raj. It has a three tier system.
(i) The Gram Sabha : The Gram Sabha which is not a tier of Panchayati Raj is the general body consisting of all the voters residing in the jurisdiction of a Gram Panchayat. The Gram Sabha is supposed to work as the watchdog ofthe Gram Panchayat which is its executive body.
(ii) Gram Panchayat: The Gram Panchayat is the first tier in the Panchayat Raj System. It is constituted for one village or group of villages.
(iii) Panchayat Samiti : The intermediate tier in the Panchayati Raj System is known as the Panchayat Samiti. It is constituted for two or more Gram Panchayats at the block level.
- The members of this representative body are elected by all the Panchayat members in that area.
- The elected head of the Samiti is known as "President, chairman or pradhan.
(iv) Zilla Parishad: This is the top tier of Panchayati Raj constituted at the district level by the Panchayat Samitis or mandals. Most members of the Zilla Parishad are elected.
