A gram panchayat is a local self-government institution at the village or small town level in India and has a Sarpanch as its elected head. Under British Colonial rule, the role of panchayats were strengthened, whereas under post-independence they were given little right of co-determination. After attempts to deal with local matters at the national level, panchayats were reintroduced as institutions of local self-governance in 1992.[1] As of 2002[dated info] there were about 265,000 gram panchayats in India. The gram panchayat is the cornerstone of thepanchayati raj system. A panchayat is needed for every town and village.
Maintaining street lights, construction and repair work of roads in villages and also the village markets, fairs, collection of tax, festivals and celebrations
Keeping a record of births, deaths and marriages in the village
Looking after public health and [2] by providing facilities for sanitation and drinking water
A gram panchayat consists of between 7 and 17 members, elected from the wards of the village, and they are called a "panch". People of the village select a panch, with one-third of seats reserved for female candidates. To establish a gram panchyat in a village, the population of the village should be at least 300 people of voting age.