(1)A Panchayat Samiti shall have power to -(a)(i)undertake schemes or adopt measures, including the giving of financial assistance relating to the development of agriculture, live stock, cottage industries, co-operative movement, rural credit, water supply, irrigation, public health and sanitation including establishment of dispensaries and hospitals, communication, primary or 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 ; and(iv)make grants in aid to any school, public institution or public welfare organisation within the Block ;(b)make grants to the Gram Panchayats ;(c)contribute, with the approval of the State Government, such sum or sums of money as it may consider necessary towards the cost of water supply or anti epidemic measures undertaken by a Municipality or Notified Area authority within the Block ;(d)adopt measures for the relief of distress ;(e)co-ordinate and integrate the development plans and schemes prepared by Gram Panchayats in the Block, if and when necessary ; and(f)examine and sanction the budget estimates of Gram Panchayats in the Block.(2)Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1) , a Panchayat Samiti shall not undertake or excute any scheme confined to an area over which a Gram Panchayat has jurisdiction unless the Gram Panchayat is of opinion that the implementation of such a scheme is beyond its competence, financially or otherwise, and passes a resolution to that effect. In the latter case, the Panchayat Samiti may execute the scheme by itself or entrust its execution to the Gram Panchayat and give such assistance as may be required :Provided that a Panchayat Samiti may undertake or execute any scheme referred to in sub clause (ii) of clause (a) of sub-section (1) confined to an area which a Gram Panchayat has jurisdiction.(3)A Panchayat Samiti may undertake or execute any scheme if it extends to more than one Gram.(4)A Panchayat Samiti may by notification, delegate to the Executive Officer or any other officer, the powers covered by or under this Act of Panchayat Samiti.
