Which of the following statements is/are correct about Panchayat Samiti?

1. The strength of a Panchayat Samiti depends on the population in a samiti area.

2. All the Sarpanchs of Gram Panchayats are not members of Panchayat Samitis at the same time.

3. The Samiti is equipped with the administrative machinery called the Chief Executive Officer.

Correct option is C

​The correct answer is (c) Only 1 and 2

Explanation:

Let’s examine each of the given statements about Panchayat Samiti, the intermediate tier of the Panchayati Raj system:

• Statement 1: The strength of a Panchayat Samiti depends on the population in a samiti area.
  Correct – Yes, the total number of elected members in a Panchayat Samiti is generally determined in proportion to the population of the block or area it represents. State governments decide the exact strength through legislation, but population is a major determining factor.
• Statement 2: All the Sarpanchs of Gram Panchayats are not members of Panchayat Samitis at the same time.
  Correct – This is true. Only selected or elected Sarpanchs (based on rotation or election) become members of the Panchayat Samiti. Not every Sarpanch from every Gram Panchayat under the Samiti’s jurisdiction is included simultaneously.
• Statement 3: The Samiti is equipped with the administrative machinery called the Chief Executive Officer.
  Incorrect – This statement is misleading. The administrative officer of the Panchayat Samiti is typically called the Block Development Officer (BDO). While he/she may sometimes function like a Chief Executive Officer, "CEO" is not the standard or universally used term for this role across states.

Information Booster:

Panchayat Samiti (also known as Block Panchayat or Mandal Parishad in some states) is the middle tier of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system, situated between the Gram Panchayat (village level) and Zila Parishad (district level).

It is responsible for:

1. Supervision and coordination of Gram Panchayats under its jurisdiction.
2. Implementation of development schemes (agriculture, rural development, education, health).
3. Managing funds allocated by the Zila Parishad or State Government.
4. Members include elected representatives, MLAs, MPs, and nominated persons.

Additional Knowledge:

Three-tier Panchayati Raj System (as per 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992):

• Village Level – Gram Panchayat
• Intermediate Level – Panchayat Samiti (not applicable in states with population below 20 lakh)
• District Level – Zila Parishad

The tenure of each panchayat body is 5 years unless dissolved earlier.