Section 181 · Duties and Powers of Zila Parishad

(1) A Zila Parishad shall advise, supervise and co-ordinate the functions of the Panchayat Samitis in the district. (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions of sub-section (1), a Zila Parishad shall have power to - (a) examine and approve the budget of Panchayat Samiti in the manner laid down in section 142; (b) issue directives to Panchayat Samitis with respect to the efficient performance of their duties and such directives shall be binding on the Panchayat Samitis; Provided that if any Panchayat Samiti does not accept any such directive, it may return the same with its comments to the Zila Parishad with a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of its members, the Zila Parishad shall thereupon consider the aforesaid comments of the Panchayat Samiti and shall pass orders in regard thereto which shall be final; (c) give advice to a Panchayat Samiti, or its own motion or on the requirement of the State Government or at the request of a Panchayat Samiti; (d) co-ordinate and consolidate development plans prepared in respect of Panchayat Samitis; (e) secure the execution of plans, projects, schemes or other works common to two or more Panchayat Samiti in the district; (f) exercise and perform such other powers and functions in relation to any development programme as the State Government may, by notification, confer on or entrust to it; (g) advise the State Government on all matters relating to development activities and maintenance of services in the district, whether undertaken by local authorities or the State Government; (h) advise the State Government on matters concerning the implementation of any statutory or executive order specially referred to by the State Government to the Zila Parishad. (3) The Zila Parishad may, with the prior approval of the State Government, levy contribution from the Panchayat Samitis Funds in the district. (4) A Zila Parishad shall have the authority to call for any information, statement or record from a Panchayat Samiti which shall comply with any such requisition within a reasonable time. (5) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Act, Zila Parishad shall, when required by the State Government to do so, by an order in writing, exercise such supervision and control over the performance of all or any of the administrative functions of the Gram Panchayats within the district or any part thereof, as may be specified in the said order. (6) Subject to the general or special orders of the State Government, the Zila Parishad may - (a) incur expenditure on education or medical relief outside its jurisdiction; (b) provide for carrying out any work or measures likely to promote health, safety, education, comfort, convenience or social or economic or cultural well-being of the inhabitants of the district; (c) contribute to the associations at National or State or inter-state level concerning with the promotion of local government and to exhibition, seminars and conferences within the district related to the activities or Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishad; (d) render financial or other assistance to person for carrying on in the district any activity which is related to any of the functions of the State. (7) The Zila Parishad shall have powers to do all acts necessary for or incidental to the carrying out of the functions entrusted or delegated to it and, in particular, and without prejudice to the foregoing powers to exercise all powers specified under this Act.