Objectives & Functions

Objectives and Functions

Schedule I of the District Council Act lists the functions of the Council. It lists 123 functions. Broadly speaking, it can be said that the important functions of the Council are to provide services such as education, health, communication and to undertake programs for the development of agriculture and rural industries. It is expected that the expansion of education and communication programs should be done in such a way that it will be conducive to the development of agriculture and industries and that emphasis should be placed on programmes such as irrigation and cooperation. It is also considered a special responsibility of the Zilla Parishad to pay attention to the upliftment of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The above-mentioned functions are also within the purview of the State Government. Therefore, the functions have been divided between the State Government and the Zilla Parishad and are subject to changes as required. For example, primary education has been completely entrusted to the Council. The Council carries out the functions of construction of school buildings, supervision of the work of teachers, etc. The management of primary schools in cities that are municipalities but do not have school boards is also entrusted to the councils. Although the education officer of the council does the inspection of secondary schools and the release of grant money, the Zilla Parishad cannot take any notice of it. Regarding communication, the construction and maintenance of national and state highways is with the state government, while the construction and maintenance of district roads, small access roads, etc. is with the council. In the irrigation scheme, the council can take up projects that will provide water to land up to one hundred hectares, while projects larger than that come under the purview of the state government.

District Council Functions

The Zilla Parishad is an important local self-government body, which mainly works to provide various developmental functions and government services in rural areas. The following are the major functions assigned to the Zilla Parishad:

• Education:
  1. Management of primary and secondary schools.
  2. Construction and maintenance of schools.
  3. Appointment of teachers and supervision of their work.
  4. Improvement of quality of primary education in rural areas.
• Health Services:
  1. Establishment and management of primary health centers in rural areas.
  2. Organisation of health camps.
  3. Health protection programs, as well as health education.
  4. Ambulance services and other emergency services.
• Irrigation and agricultural services:
  1. Implementation of irrigation schemes.
  2. Development of various schemes in the agricultural sector.
  3. Promotion and dissemination of modern agricultural technology.
  4. Providing appropriate advice and support for agriculture.
• Roads and Infrastructure:
  1. Construction, maintenance and improvement of roads in the district.
  2. Water supply, sanitation and water purification facilities.
  3. Electricity, small power projects and solar power projects.
• Social Welfare and Empowerment:
  1. Implementation of various schemes for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women and elderly persons.
  2. Health, education and employment schemes for the under privileged.
  3. Implementation of family welfare and child welfare schemes.
• Local Administration:
  1. Transparency, accountability and effective functioning in local administration.
  2. Public participation and public relations programs.
  3. Implementation of various government schemes and community welfare schemes.
• Environment and Nature Conservation:
  1. Water saving and water conservation programs.
  2. Tree plantation and environmental work.
  3. Natural disaster management and rehabilitation work.
• Rural Industries and Employment:
  1. Promotion of rural industries and support for new industries.
  2. Youth empowerment, skill training and employment generation.
  3. Implementation of self-employment schemes and rural business schemes.
• Cultural and Social Work:
  1. Organisation of local arts, culture and sports programmes.
  2. Maintenance of social harmony and peace.
• Rules and Law:
  1. To enforce local laws.
  2. To ensure public order in the district.

Summary:
The Zilla Parishad carries out various developmental, social, and administrative functions. Its main objective is to provide essential services and facilities to the people of rural areas, improve their standard of living, and work towards the empowerment of rural society.