(1) Subject to any general or special directions of the State Government, a Zilla Parishad shall have the power to—
(a) (i) undertake schemes or adopt measures, including the giving of financial assistance, relating to the development of agriculture, livestock, industries, co-operative movement, rural credit, water-supply, irrigation, public health and sanitation including establishment of dispensaries and hOspitals, communications, primary, secondary and adult education including welfare of students, social welfare and other objects of general public utility,
(ii) undertake execution of any scheme, performance of any act, or management of any institution or organisation entrusted to it by the State Government or any other authority,
(iii) manage or maintain any work of public utility or any institution vested in it or under its control and management,
(iv) make grants in aid of any school, public library, public institution or public welfare organisation within the district,
(v) contribute such sums as may be agreed upon towards the cost of maintenance of any institutions, situated outside the district, which are beneficial to, and habitually used by, the inhabitants of the district,
(vi) establish scholarships or award stipends within the State for the furtherance of technical or other special forms of education,
(vii) acquire and maintain village hats and markets;
336 The West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1973.
XLI of 1973.]
(Part IV.—Zilla Parishad.—Chapter X1V.—Powers, functions and duties of Zilla Parishad.—Sections 154-156.)
(b) make grants to the Panchayat Samitis or Gram Panchayats;
(c) contribute, with the approval of the State Government, such sum or sums as it may decide, towards the cost of watersupply or anti-epidemic measures undertaken by the commissioners of a municipality within the district;
(d) adopt measures for the relief of distress;
(e) co-ordinate and integrate the development plans and schemes prepared by Panchayat Samitis in the district; and examine and sanction the budget estimates of Panchayat Samitis in the district.
(2) A Zilla Rarishad shall have the power to advise the State Government on all matters relating to the development work among Gram Panchayats and Panchayat Samitis.
(3) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1), a Zilla Parishad shall not undertake or execute any scheme confined to a block unless the implementation of such a scheme is beyond the competence of the Panchayat Samiti concerned financially or otherwise. In the latter case the Zilla Parishad may execute the scheme itself or entrust its execution to the Panchayat Samiti and give it such assistance as may be required.
(4) A Zilla Parishad may undertake or execute any scheme if it extends to more than one Block.
Ben. Act V of 1880.
Ben. Act XV of 1932.
154. In a district to which the Bengal Vaccination Act, 1880, has been, or may hereafter be extended, the Zilla Parishad shall exercise all or any of the powers exercisable by the Magistrate of the district under section 25 of the said Act.
155. The State Government may from time to time, with the consent of the Zilla Parishad, place any road, bridge, ferry, channel, building or other property vested in the State Government and situated within the district under the control and management of the Zilla Parishad subject to such conditions as it may specify.
156. The State Government may, notwithstanding anything contained in the Bengal Municipal Act, 1932, direct, after consultation with the commissioners of a municipality, that the control and maintenance of any road part of which runs through a municipality and is vested in the commissioners of such municipality shall be taken over by the Zilla Parishad and that the commissioners of such municipality shall make Zilla Parishad to have powers of Magistrate in district to which the Vaccination Act extends.
State Government may place other property under Zilla Parishad.
Control and maintenance of roads which run through a municipality.
337 Zilla Parishad may take over works.
Power of Zilla Parishad to divert, discontinue or close road.
The West Bengal Panchayat Act, 1973.
[West Ben. Act (Part IV.—Zilla Parishad.—Chapter XIV.—Powers, functions and duties of Zilla Parishad.—Sections 157-161.)
such contribution for the maintenance of the road as may be agreed upon or as may be fixed by the State Government in the absence of agreement.
On such direction being given the Commissioners of the municipality shall cease to control and maintain such portion of the road as lies within such municipality.
157. A Zilla Parishad may take over the maintenance and control of any road, bridge, tank, ghat, well, channel or drain, belonging to a private owner or any other authority on such terms as may be agreed upon.
158. A Zilla Parishad may divert, discontinue or close temporarily any road, which is under its control and management or is vested in it, and may, with the approval of the State Government, close any such road permanently.
Power of 159. A Zilla Parishad may transfer to the State Government, the ZULU Parishad to Commissioners of a municipality, a Panchayat Samiti or a Pram transfer Panchayat any road or part of a road or any other property which is under roads to the .
State its control or management or which is vested in it, on such terms and Government conditions as may be agreed upon.
or Panchayat Samiti.
Vesting of Zilla Parishad with certain Powers.
Joint execution of schemes by two or more Zilla Parishads.