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Each standing committee has clearly defined functions. This is to ensure efficiency and specialization. Committee on taxation and finance deals with matters relating to taxes and finance. The Committee on Public health, education, and social justice concern itself with matters relating to health, education and social justice. Issues concerning planning and development of city are taken care of by the committee on city planning and development. The crucial responsibility of auditing, income and. expenditure and protecting the public money lies with the committee on accounts.

Each standing committee consists of members. Members of each committee are appointed on the basis of proportional representation through single non-transferable vote. No member can be in more than one committee. The President of the committee is appointed by members from among themselves.

To look at the functions of Gram Panchayat there are 5 standing committees, they are:

1. Committee on Productivity 

2. Committee on Social Justice 

3. Committee on Services

Each committee consists of 5 members elected among them. No member can be in two committees at a time. Social justice committee must consist of one woman, one SC, and one ST member.

1. Village Panchayat 

2. Panchayat Samiti 

3. Zilla Parishad

There is a Grama Panchayat at the village level, A Taluk Panchayat at the taluk level. There will be direct elections to all house levels. Reservation of seats for SC’s and ST’s according to their population. All Adhyakshas can be members of Zilla Panchayats, MPs and MLA’s can be members of both Zilla and Taluk Panchayat.

The powers and functions of Taluk Panchayats are as below:

1. Preparation of annual plans and submit to Z.P. 

2. Preparation of annual budget and report to Z.P. 

3. Providing basic felicities to victims of natural calamities. 

4. Promotion of agriculture and horticulture. 

5. Ensuring overall development of the Taluk. 

6. Constrictions and maintenances of roads, bridges, and buildings

7. Promotes poverty alienation programmes, literacy programmes. 

8. Development of primary and secondary education. 

9. Promoting the welfare of women children and physically handicapped. 

10. Providing electric and water felicities. 

11. Promoting animal husbandry, poultry and fisheries. 

12. Promoting the welfare of SC, ST and backward class. 

13. Regulating the markets in rural areas. 

14. Conducting health and family welfare programmes. 

15. Encouraging small irrigation programmes.

Powers of President:

• To call, preside and conduct the meetings of Taluk Panchayat. Implement the decision of Taluk Panchayat through supervision and control.
• The president may sanction to the tune of Rs. 25,000 in case of natural claims subjects to the approval of Taluk Panchayat. 
• In case of his absence due to resignation, removal or death, the responsibilities are looked after by the vice president.

The financial need of Taluk Panchayat is met through the following sources.

• Funds transferred from the central reserved, funds 
• Income earned through imposing taxes and collecting penalties. 
• Income earned by way of rent and sale of Taluk Panchayat property. 
• Interest earned on loans given by the Taluk Panchayat.

Mahatma Gandhi.

A village or group of villages having a population of not less than 5,000 but not more than 7,000 is called Gram Panchayat. The power to declare an area as a Gram Panchayat rests with the Assistant Commissioner.

1. Village Panchayat. 

2. Panchayat Samiti 

3. Zilla Parishad.

73^rd constitutional amendment Act deals with the rural local bodies and 74^th act relates to urban local bodies.

The Panchayat Raj system has first came into base on 2^nd October 1959 at Rajastan.

Gram Panchayat at village level, Taluk Panchayat at Taluk level and Zilla Panchayat at district level.

1. The Corporation or the General Council. 

2. Standing Committees. 

3. The Commissioner.

It is the system of administration in which the village people are given the right to manage their own local affairs and to satisfy their needs themselves.

• Under this, people develop narrow loyalty for their city, town or district. 
• Most local governing institutions are dominated by a few local leaders. 
• Divided responsibility is one more demerit of local self government. The responsibilities are divided between the government and local bodies.

Mayor is head of the Municipal Corporation. It is an elected post. He is elected by the members of Corporation, at its first meeting after the general election of councillors. This term is for one year. He has the power to give directions to Municipal Commissioner.

According to the Municipal Corporation Act of 1976, the functions of Corporation may be classified into

1. Obligatory functions 

2. Discretionary functions

1. Obligatory functions:

• Construction and maintenance of public roads, streets, bridges, markets, drains, dispensaries, etc. 
• To make the boundaries of the Municipal Corporation limits. 
• Making arrangements for conservancy drainage, removal of garbage, etc. 
• Lighting and watering of public streets. 
• Supply of filtered water for drinking purposes and unfiltered water for other purposes. 
• Maintenance of public health, vaccination, etc. 
• Regulation of sale of food, drugs, milk, etc. 
• Establishing and maintaining schools for primary education etc.

2. Discretionary functions:

• Construction and maintenance of libraries, museums, rest houses, gardens. 
• Taking a census, arranging and maintaining means of transport. 
• Maintaining diary forms set up and maintain institutions for sick or incurable etc.
• Organising and maintaining maternity and welfare centres for infant.

Nagara Sabha is constituted on the basis of population of the city or town. According to Karnataka municipal act 1964 for every city with population of 50,000 to 3,00,000 city municipal council is constituted. Towns with population of 20,000 to 50,000 town municipalities are constituted. The members of Nagara Sabha are directly elected by the residense of the town and cities directly for a period of 5 years.

Following are the general functions:

• Management of administration of the corporation. 
• Preparation of budget. 
• Seek approval of budget. 
• Compulsory functions of corporation. 
• Construction and conservation of public roads and streets. 
• Providing electricity to public roads, streets, and markets. 
• Making arrangements for conservancy, drainage, and removal of garbage. 
• Providing safe drinking water and waste for other purposes. 
• Naming and numbering of roads. 
• Construction and maintenance of public markets. 
• Prevent diseases through an effective public health system. 
• Control over the construction of buildings through an effective clearance system.
• Prevent the adulteration of food products, milk, and pharmaceuticals. 
• Registration and maintenance of birth and death records. 
• Establishment and maintenance of primary schools. 
• Planting and conservation of saplings. 
• Construction and maintenance of public gardens and play grounds. 
• Construction and maintenance of burial grounds. 
• Protection of public property and public monuments.

Optional functions: Optional functions are discretionary in nature. They can be undertaken only if the time and money permits. The following are the optional functions of the corporations.

• Establishment of an efficient transport system. 
• Establish associations for the welfare of orphans and the destitute. 
• Establishment and maintenance of child welfare centers.
• Construction and conservation of swimming pools and bathing ghats. 
• Conduct surveys of land and buildings. 
• Construction and maintenance of museums, art galleries, and gardens with distinct plants. 
• Establishment and maintenance of hospitals for animals. 
• Raise money for providing relief during natural calamities such as earthquake, drought, etc., 
• Improve slums by developing them. 
• Construct houses for the poor, homeless and the destitute. 
• Construction and maintenance of water troughs for animals. 
• Support environment conservation programmes through the planting trees etc.

Local self-governments are the administrative units which are created by the statutory law to meeth the local needs fastly and effectively.

1. Village Panchayat 

2. Panchayat Samiti 

3. Zilla Parishad

The elected members of corporation are called Councilors.

For the purpose of election, people of the city are divided into various wards and the representatives of each ward form the corporation, who are also known as councilors.

5 members are nominated.

They are directly elected by the people.

5 Years is the tenure of Zilla Panchayat.

There shall be a taluk Panchayat for a population not exceeding one lakh. It shall have minimum 11 members. Each member representing a population of one thousand.

Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Bellary, Davangere, Hubii, Bharward.

He is the Chief Executive Officer of the Municipal Corporation. He is directly appointed by the Government.

It is constituted for each district. It has jurisdiction over the entire district.

It is as governmental machinery established by the people in a locality to administer the affairs of a local area.

Eight corporations.

Municipalities are located in urban areas whereas city corporations exists in metropolitan areas. Corporations are independent bodies whereas town municipalities are subject to the Council of Government.

There are municipalities established in cities and towns. If the population exceeds 20,000 but less than 50,000 it is called Town municipality.

They are directly elected by the people.

Corporation Commissioner.

President and vice president.

Bangalore, Mysore, Mangalore, Belgaum, Gulbarga, Bellary, Davangere, Hubli, Bharward.

Functions of gram panchayat.

• Formulate plans for the development of Gram panchayat. 
• Preparation of Budget of Gram panchayat. 
• Collection and maintenance of necessary information and statistics relating to the panchayat. 
• Provide relief during natural calamities like floods, famine or earthquakes. 
• Encouragement to agriculture.
• Encouragement and development of poultry and pisciculture. 
• Support to khadi and cottage industries. 
• Protection of public health and support family welfare programmes. 
• Encouraging rural housing by providing houses and sites to weaker sections. 
• Promote cleanliness through underground drainage system. 
• Provide drinking water and prevent water pollution. 
• Construction and maintenance of roads, buildings, and bridges.
• Rural electrification. 
• Encourage primary and higher education. 
• Support and implement poverty alleviation programmes. 
• Support adult education and informal education. 
• Construction and maintenance of libraries and reading rooms. 
• Regulation of market and fairs. 
• Strive for the welfare of women and children. 
• Strive for the welfare of weaker sections.
• Preservation of Public distribution system 
• Maintenance of public gardens and stadiums. 
• Maintenance of graveyards. 
• Strive and support welfare of physically challenged (handicapped) and mentally retarded. 
• Function as per directed by Panchayat Raj Act from time to time.

If the population is more than 50,000 and less than 39,000, it is called a City Municipality.

The financial need of the Gram Panchayat is met through the following sources.

• Funds transferred from the central reserved funds. 
• Income earned through imposing taxes and collecting penalties. 
• Income earned by way of rent and sale of Gram Panchayat property. 
• Interest earned on loans given by the Gram Panchayat.

Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The Mayor, the first citizen of the city holds a position of honour and prestige. 

The following are the functions of Mayor:

1. To preside over the council meetings and conduct it smoothly. 

2. Exercise administrative control over the secretariat of General council 

3. To direct the Corporation commissioner to implement the decisions taken by the General council. 

4. He may call for records relating to city corporation administration. 

5. Mayor may call for a special meeting of the General council on request by councilors with a requisite majority.

Corporator elects Mayor.

The Deputy Mayor discharges the duties of Mayor in case of absence, due to resignation, death, incapacity (exceeding 8 days) or the Deputy Mayor also performs the tasks assigned to him by the mayor.

Powers of President:

• To call, preside and conduct the meetings of Gram Panchayat. 
• Implement the decisions of Gram Panchayat through supervision and control. 
• In case of his absence due to resignation, removal or death, the responsibilities are looked after by vice president.

City corporations are established in big cities according to the acts of state legislature.

Distribution of constitutional powers from union level to village level is called democratic decentralization.

Panchayat Development Officer.

To be elected as a Mayor, first of all, he must be one of the councillors. He is elected as mayor for a period of 1 year only.