District council (India)
| India portal |
| District Council (Zilla Parishad) | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Zilla Parishad, District Panchayat |
| Level of government | District (Rural local government) |
| Part of | Panchayati Raj System |
| Constituting instrument |
|
| Jurisdiction | Entire district (except urban areas/municipal areas) |
| Constituencies / Wards | Each district divided into territorial constituencies (number varies by population and state law) |
| Head | President |
| Deputy Head | Vice president |
| Administrative officer
(Secretary) |
Chief Executive Officer (IAS/State Civil Service) |
| Term length | 5 years |
| Voting system | First-past-the-post |
| Parent department | Ministry of Panchayati Raj |
The Zila Panchayat or District Development Council or Zilla Parishad or District Panchayat is the third tier of the Panchayati Raj system and functions at the district levels in all states. A Zila Parishad is an elected local body representing the entire rural area of a district. A District Panchayat is headed by a president, (also known as Adhyaksha), who is elected from among its elected members. The vice president (Upadhyaksha) assists the president. The executive functions are carried out by the chief executive officer or secretary, a senior administrative officer appointed by the state government. The Zila parishad acts as the link between the state government and the block-level Block Panchayat.
The District Panchayat oversees development planning, coordination, and implementation of government schemes across rural areas of the district.
Zila Parishad are Panchayats at Apex or District Level in Panchayat Raj Institutions, and Gram Panchayat is the base unit at village level in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The 73rd Amendment is about Governments' (which are also known as Panchayati Raj Institutions [1]
- Panchayat at District (or apex) Level
- Panchayat at Intermediate Level
- Panchayat at Base Level