In 1992, the Parliament amended the Constitution and formulated rules for the Panchayati Raj System. The States and the centre had to follow these rules from April, 1993 onwards. The rules are listed below:
(i) It should be a three-tier system at village level, the intermediate or block level and the district level.
(ii) Direct elections should be conducted for all the seats in the Panchayats.
(iii) The state should ensure representation of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population in the area. Minimum of one-third of the total number of seats is to be reserved forwomen.
(iv) A member of Panchayat should not be less than 21 years of age.
(v) The State Election Commission should hold regular Panchayat elections.

(i) Zila Parishad or District Panchayat is the apex body of the Panchayati Raj System.
(ii) It examines and approves the budget of Panchayat Samitis in the district.
(iii) It issues directions to the Panchayat Samitis for efficient performance of their functions and Coordinates development plans prepared by the Panchayat Samitis.
(iv) It distributes funds allocated by the State government to the Panchayat Samitis in the district.
(v) It collects statistics related to the activities of the local authorities in the district.

Sarpanch has various responsibilities, Some of them are as follows :
(i) Looking after street lights, construction and repair work of the roads in the villages and also, village markets, fairs, festivals and celebrations.
(ii) Keeping a record of births, deaths and marriages in the village.
(iii) Looking after public health and hygiene by providing facilities for sanitation and drinking water.
(iv) Providing education, implementing development schemes for agriculture and animal husbandry.

(i)The village Panchs from Maharashtra are seen in the picture.
(ii)They were awarded with the Nirmal Gram Puruskar.
(iii)This award was given in 2005 for the excellent work done by them in the Panchayat.

A Village Panchayat is divided into wards. Each ward elects a representative who is known as the Ward Member, also called Panch. All the members of the Gram Sabha also elect a Sarpanch who is called Panchayat President. The ward Panchs and the Sarpanch form the Gram Panchayat. The tenure of the Gram Panchayat is five years.
The Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha have a common secretary. He is a person whom the government appoints. Thus, he is not an elected person. The Secretary is responsible for calling the meeting of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat. He also keeps a record of the proceedings of the meetings.

The members of the Gram Panchayat suggested to deepen two hand pumps and clean at least one well so that the village would not go without water.
The Sarpanch suggested that since the Panchayat had received some funds for maintenance of hand pumps, it could be used for completing this work.
The members of the Panchayat wanted a long-term solution for water shortage.
Some Panchs asked whether the watershed programme would make a substantial difference to the water level.
At last, they decided to approach the Block Development Officer (BDO) and get more information on the scheme.