The Gram Panchayat is a very important and the most important body of local government in India. A Gram Panchayat is a community council, based in a village, made up of people from the same village and its surrounding areas. The main function of a Gram Panchayat is to look after the welfare of its community and to plan and execute various public works for the overall development of the village.

In order to carry out its task, a Gram Panchayat must have the following functions:

To prepare an activity plan for the year, with a view to the overall development of the village. This will include various public works such as building roads, schools, etc. To plan and implement various public works for the overall development of the village. To look after the welfare of its community. To prepare a work report for the year, with a view to the overall development of the village.

In addition to the above functions, a Gram Panchayat may also have the following functions:

To make a plan for the day to day work of its Gram Panchayat. To help the people in the Gram Panchayat to prepare a work report for the year. To help the people in the Gram Panchayat to implement various public works for the overall development of the village.