GramPanchayat Department
About the Department
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment was enacted by the Government of India with the objective of enabling Gram Panchayats in rural areas to become self-reliant and to function as autonomous institutions. As a result, Gram Panchayats were accorded constitutional status. Since then, Gram Panchayats have been working towards ensuring social justice for the people of the villages and promoting their economic development.
The Government of India has been implementing various development schemes for the overall development of the country. To ensure that the benefits of these development schemes reach the people at the grassroots level and contribute to their progress and well-being, powers have been decentralized and entrusted to Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats.
The primary objective of various Government schemes is to improve the quality of life of economically weaker sections of society by ensuring that they receive the intended benefits. The Government aims to improve the standard of living of rural communities through effective implementation of various Government schemes. It is therefore essential to ensure that information about all such schemes reaches the public.
Nashik District is divided into 15 Talukas and has 1,388 Gram Panchayats. Various Government schemes implemented by the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra are effectively implemented at the grassroots level through the Gram Panchayat Department of the Zilla Parishad.
The department is committed to ensuring that the benefits of these schemes reach the general public, particularly persons belonging to socially and economically disadvantaged sections and families living below the poverty line, with the objective of improving their economic condition and enabling them to become financially self-reliant. Effective implementation of these schemes is undertaken through the Gram Panchayat Department of the Zilla Parishad.
In addition, the department maintains the district-level establishment of the cadres of Extension Officers (Panchayat) and Gram Panchayat Officers. Service-related matters concerning these cadres, such as direct recruitment, promotion, transfers and other service-related cases, are handled by the department.
Chief Executive Officer
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Deputy Chief Executive Officer
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Assistant Block Development Officer
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Junior Administrative Officer
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Concerned Section
Details of Posts
| Sr. No. | Name of the Post | Sanctioned Posts | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deputy Chief Executive Officer | 1 | — |
| 2 | Assistant Block Development Officer | 1 | — |
| 3 | Junior Administrative Officer | 1 | — |
| 4 | Senior Assistant | 4 | — |
| 5 | Senior Assistant (Accounts) – DVDF | 1 | — |
| 6 | Junior Assistant (Clerk) | 6 | — |
| 7 | Junior Assistant (Accounts) | 1 | — |
| 8 | Driver | 1 | — |
| 9 | Attendant | 2 | — |
Schemes Implemented by the Gram Panchayat Department
Schemes Receiving Grants through the District Planning Committee
1. Jan Suvidha Yojana (Public Amenities Scheme)
Under Government Resolution No. JANSU-2017/Pr.Kr.111/Yo-06 dated 25 January 2018, grants are provided to Gram Panchayats for undertaking various development works under this scheme. The works include:
- Construction and development of cremation and burial grounds – up to ₹20 lakh
- Construction of Gram Panchayat offices – up to ₹20 lakh
- Construction of internal village roads – up to ₹20 lakh
- Development of weekly market centres within Gram Panchayat limits – up to ₹15 lakh
- Desilting and beautification of village lakes – up to ₹15 lakh
- Solid waste management – up to ₹20 lakh
- Underground drainage systems – up to ₹15 lakh
- Installation of solar-powered dual hand pumps at existing wells within Gram Panchayat limits
- Establishment of water purification RO plants – up to ₹20 lakh
2. Nagari Suvidha Yojana (Civic Amenities Scheme)
Gram Panchayats having a population of more than 3,000 are eligible for financial assistance under this scheme for providing civic amenities. A grant of up to ₹2 crore per Gram Panchayat per year and up to ₹5 crore during the project period is provided. Under this scheme, 90% of the project cost is provided through the District Planning Committee, while 10% is contributed by the concerned Gram Panchayat.
3. ‘C’ Class Pilgrimage Centres
As per Government Resolution No. TIRTHVI/11/Pr.Kr.651/Yo-7 dated 16 November 2012, various development works are undertaken at ‘C’ Class pilgrimage centres. These include construction of toilets, bathing facilities, water supply facilities, pilgrim accommodation, street lighting, area development, parking facilities, ghats, protective walls, roads and paving blocks, etc.
Local Development Programme at Gram Panchayat Level – Zilla Parishad Funds
Development works required at the Gram Panchayat level are undertaken based on demands received and recommendations made by the Hon’ble President, Chief Executive Officer and Zilla Parishad Members.
The works include construction of community halls, assembly halls, roads, construction and repairs of Gram Panchayat offices, paving blocks, water supply tanks, RO water plants, protective walls and other essential development works.
15th Finance Commission – Gram Panchayat Level
As per the recommendations of the Centrally Sponsored 15th Finance Commission, funds are provided to rural local self-government institutions for the financial years 2020-21 to 2025-26 under two categories: Tied Grants and Untied Grants.
As per Government guidelines, funds are made available for strengthening rural local self-government institutions through Basic/Untied Grants and Tied Grants. At the Gram Panchayat level, 80% of the funds are allocated for the prescribed activities.
Of the available funds, 60% is utilized for Tied Grant activities. Of this, 30% is allocated for solid waste and wastewater management, while 30% is allocated for water supply schemes and their repairs.
The remaining 40% is utilized for Untied Grant activities. These include roads, drainage systems, paving blocks, repairs to schools and Anganwadi centres, essential educational materials and basic infrastructure, solar energy panels, and works related to education, health, livelihoods, welfare of Scheduled Castes and other disadvantaged groups, and welfare of persons with disabilities.
Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan 5.0
Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyan 5.0 is an ambitious initiative of the Environment and Climate Change Department, Government of Maharashtra, aimed at protecting, conserving and preserving the environment across the State.
The initiative is based on the five elements of nature—Earth, Air, Water, Fire and Sky—through which various environment-friendly activities are undertaken.
For effective implementation of the initiative, the performance of local self-government institutions is evaluated and awards are presented to institutions demonstrating outstanding performance in the field of environmental protection. The award amount is intended to be utilized for environment-friendly measures such as conservation of green spaces, water conservation projects and the use of renewable energy sources.
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan is an ambitious initiative of the Government of India aimed at empowering Gram Panchayats and strengthening local self-government institutions.
Under this initiative, activities such as training and capacity building, use of digital technology for rural development, availability of funds and implementation of initiatives such as the e-GramSwaraj portal are undertaken according to local requirements.
Under the initiative, works such as construction of Gram Panchayat offices and Common Service Centre (CSC) facilities in PESA areas are also undertaken.
Late Balasaheb Thackeray Smriti Matoshree Gram Sachivalaya
Under this scheme, a grant of ₹15 lakh is provided for the construction of Gram Panchayat offices.
Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Senior Writers and Artists Honorarium Scheme
The Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj Senior Writers and Artists Honorarium Scheme is an important scheme of the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Maharashtra. The scheme provides financial assistance and recognition to senior writers and artists who have made a valuable contribution to the field of arts and culture over a long period.
From 1 April 2024, selected beneficiaries are provided an honorarium of ₹5,000 per month.
The eligibility criteria include:
- The applicant must be at least 50 years of age.
- Annual income must be less than ₹48,000.
- The applicant must have worked in the field of arts for at least 15 years.
- Age-related relaxation is available for persons with disabilities.
- A District-Level Selection Committee selects 100 artists every year at the district level.
PM Vishwakarma
PM Vishwakarma is a scheme of the Government of India that provides financial and technical assistance to skilled artisans and craftspeople engaged in traditional trades and crafts.
Under the scheme, free skill development training and guidance on modern technology are provided to artisans engaged in 18 traditional trades. Credit support is provided in two stages—up to ₹1 lakh in the first stage and ₹2 lakh in the second stage—at a concessional interest rate of 5%.
The scheme aims to promote the economic development of local artisans and make traditional occupations more competitive.
At the Gram Panchayat level, the scheme is implemented effectively by creating awareness among local artisans, handloom workers and traditional workers; preparing lists of eligible beneficiaries; assisting interested beneficiaries in submitting online applications; and facilitating market access for local products through the Gram Panchayat.
R.R. (Aba) Patil Sundar Gaon Award Scheme (Smart Gram Scheme)
The Smart Gram Scheme has been renamed as the R.R. (Aba) Patil Sundar Gaon Award Scheme.
Under this scheme, one Gram Panchayat is selected as a Taluka Smart Gram at the Taluka level. At the district level, one District Smart Gram is selected from among the Taluka Smart Gram Gram Panchayats.
The objective of the scheme is to develop natural resources through community participation, maintain ecological balance and create prosperous villages. It also aims to coordinate various village-level schemes implemented by different departments of the State Government and to introduce new schemes and programmes wherever necessary to address gaps in development.
A prize of ₹10 lakh is awarded to the Gram Panchayat selected at the Taluka level. A prize of ₹40 lakh is awarded to the Gram Panchayat selected at the district level. Thus, a Gram Panchayat selected as the District Smart Gram receives a total prize of ₹50 lakh.
The prize money is expected to be utilized for innovative development works prescribed by the Government, such as solid waste management and compost production, RO water filtration systems, solar street lights, biomass gasifiers and other similar initiatives.
Adarsh Sarpanch / Gram Sevak Awards
As per Government Resolution No. GRASEPU-2011/Pr.Kr.108/Astha-9, dated 19 April 2012, issued by the Joint Secretary, Rural Development and Water Conservation Department, a scheme for recognizing exemplary Gram Sevaks is implemented.
Under this scheme, every year one Gram Sevak / Gram Vikas Adhikari from each Development Block who has successfully implemented various Government schemes and made significant efforts to improve the standard of living of rural communities and resolve their difficulties is selected as an Adarsh Gram Sevak.
The selected Adarsh Gram Sevaks are felicitated on 2 October, Mahatma Gandhi Jayanti.
Under the Adarsh Sarpanch Award, one Sarpanch from each of the 13 Development Blocks is selected. In addition, Sarpanchs from tribal areas of the four Talukas of Junnar, Ambegaon, Khed and Maval are selected for the district-level Adarsh Sarpanch Award.
Introduction
The implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2005 has strengthened public oversight of Government and semi-Government organizations. The Act enables the general public to obtain information regarding the functioning of Government administration, the implementation of various public welfare schemes, and the different stages and procedures involved in their implementation.
As Government administration becomes increasingly transparent, uncertainty among citizens is reduced. The Act also helps prevent delays in administrative processes and contributes to curbing corruption.
The Right to Information includes the following:
- Inspection of works, documents and records.
- Obtaining certified copies of documents and records, and taking notes or extracts from them.
- Obtaining certified samples of materials.
- Obtaining information in the form of printouts, CDs, floppy disks, tapes, video recordings or through any other electronic medium.
Information under Section 4(b) of the Right to Information Act, 2005
Information relating to Points 1 to 17 under Section 4(b) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 is available for viewing and download.