In many states, the elected chairperson of the Panchayat Samiti is known as the:

The chairperson of a Panchayat Samiti is known as the Pramukh in many states. In other states, the same office is called Pradhan, Chairman or Prakhand Pramukh.

Names of the office in different states:

• Bihar and Jharkhand: Pramukh.
• Rajasthan and Punjab: Pradhan.
• Some other states: Chairman or President of the Panchayat Samiti.
• The deputy is often called the Up-Pramukh or Up-Pradhan.

Functions of the Pramukh:

• Presiding over the meetings of the Panchayat Samiti.
• Supervising the implementation of development schemes in the area.
• Overseeing the work of the officials attached to the Samiti.
• Coordinating the work of the Gram Panchayats in the area.
• Preparing the budget and development plan of the Panchayat Samiti.

Reservation of the office:

Under Article 243D, the offices of chairpersons of panchayats at all levels are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women in the manner provided by state law.

Composition of the Panchayat Samiti:

• Members directly elected from territorial constituencies.
• In many states, the Sarpanches of the Gram Panchayats in the area may be members.
• MLAs and MPs from the area may also be members, as provided by state law.

Administrative support:

A government officer serves as the executive officer of the Panchayat Samiti in most states.

Different names of the Panchayat Samiti:

• Mandal Parishad in Andhra Pradesh.
• Taluka Panchayat in Gujarat.
• Kshetra Panchayat in Uttar Pradesh.
• Anchalik Panchayat in Assam.
• Panchayat Union in Tamil Nadu.

Importance of the Panchayat Samiti:

It plays a key role in implementing rural development programmes.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Sarpanch and Mukhiya are names for the head of a Gram Panchayat, and the Up-Sarpanch is his deputy.