(1)It shall be the function of a Zilla Parishad to prepare plans for economic development and social justice of the District and ensure the Co-ordinated implementation of such plan in respect of matters including those enumerated below:(1)Agricultural: - (i) promotion of measures to increase agricultural production and to popularizes the use of improvement agricultural implementation and the adoption of improvement agricultural practices;(ii)opening and maintenance of agricultural farms and marketing agencies/Infrastructure;(iii)establishment and maintenance of godowns and cold storages;(iv)conducting agricultural fairs and exhibitions;(v)management of agricultural and horticultural extension of training centres;(vi)training of farmers;(vii)land improvements and soil conservation;(2)Irrigation, ground water resources and watershed development. - (i) construction, renovation, maintenance of minor irrigation works and lift irrigation;(ii)providing for the timely and equitable distribution and full use of water under irrigation schemes under the control of the Zilla Parishad;(iii)development of ground water resources;(iv)installation of pump sets;(v)watershed development programme(3)Horticulture. - (i) rural parks and gardens;(ii)cultivation of fruits and vegetable;(iii)farms.(4)Statistics. - (i) Publication of statistical and other information relating to activities of Gaon Panchayats, Anchalik Panchayat and Zilla Parishad;(ii)co-ordination and use of statistics and other information required for the activities of the Gaon Panchayats, Anchalik Panchayats and Zilla Parishad;(iii)periodical supervision and evaluation of Project and programme entrusted to the Anchalik Panchayats and Zilla Parishad.(5)Rural Electrification. - Assist in implementation and maintenance of rural electrification schemes.(6)Soil Conservation. - (i) soil conservation measures;(ii)land reclamation and land development works.(7)Marketing. - (i) development of regulated markets and marketing yards:(ii)grading and quality control of agriculture products.(8)Social Forestry. - (i) organize campaign for free planning;(ii)planning and maintenance of trees.(9)Animal Husbandry and Dairying. - (i) establishment of veterinary hospitals and dispensaries;(ii)setting up of mobile diagnostic and clinical laboratories;(iii)breeding farms for cows and pigs;(iv)poultry frames, duck farms and goat farms;(v)common cold storage facilities for dairying, poultry and fishery products;(vi)fodder development programmes;(vii)promotion of diary farming, poultry and piggery;(viii)prevention of epidemics and contagious diseases.(10)Minor Forest Produce and Fuel and Fodder. - (i) promotion of social and farm forestry, fuel plantation and fodder development;(ii)management of minor forest products of the forests raised in community land;(iii)development of wasteland.(11)Fisheries. - (i) fish seed production and distribution;(ii)development of Fisheries in private and community tanks;(iii)development of island fisheries;(iv)fish curing and drying;(v)assistance to traditional fishing;(vi)organizing fish marketing co-operatives;(vii)welfare schemes for the uplift and development of fishermen.(12)Household and Small Scale Industries Including Food Processing. - (i) identification of traditional skills in the locality and development household industries;(ii)assistance of raw material requirement so as to ensure timely supply;(iii)design and production to suit the changing consumer demand;(iv)organization of training programme for craftsmen and artisans;(v)liaison to tap bank credit for his programme;(vi)popularizing and marketing of finished products;(vii)industrial estates;(viii)organizing khadi, handloom handicraft and village and cottage industries.(13)Rural Roads And Inland Waterways. - (i) construction and maintenance of roads other than National and State Highways;(ii)bridges and culvert coming under roads other than National and State Highways;(iii)construction and maintenance of office building of the Zilla Parishad;(iv)identification of major link roads connecting markets, educational institutions, health centers;(v)organizing voluntary surrender of land for new roads and widening of existing road.(14)Health and Hygiene. - (i) establishment and maintenance of hospitals, primary health centers and dispensaries except Civil Hospital, Medical College Hospital T.B. Sanitarium, Leprosy Hospitals and Mental Hospitals;(ii)implementation of immunization and vaccination programme;(iii)health education activities;(iv)maternity and child health activities;(v)family welfare activities;(vi)organizing health camps with Anchalik and Gaon Panchayats;(vii)measure against environment pollution.(15)Rural Housing. - (i) identification of houseless families;(ii)implementation of house building programme in the district;(iii)popularizing low cost housing.(16)Education. - (i) promotion of educational activities including the establishment and maintenance of primary and secondary schools;(ii)planning of programmes for Adult Education and library facilities;(iii)extension work of propagation of science and technology to rural areas;(iv)survey and evaluation of educational activities;(v)establishment and maintenance of general hostels, ashrams, schools and orphanages.(17)Social welfare And Welfare Of weaker Sections. - (i) extension of educational facilities to the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes by giving scholarships, stipends, boarding, grants and other grants for the purpose of books and other accessories;(ii)managing hostels for the benefit of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes;(iii)organizing nursery schools, Balawadies High Schools and Libraries to eradicate illiteracy and impart general education;(iv)conduct of model welfare centre and craft centers to train Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in cottage and rural industries;(v)managing residential basic schools for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes;(vi)providing facilities for marketing of goods produce by members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes;(vii)organizing co-operative societies of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes;(viii)other welfare schemes for the uplift and development of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.(18)Proverty Alleviation Programme. - (i) planning supervision, monitoring and implementation of poverty alleviation programme.(19)Social Reform Activities. - (i) women's organization and welfare;(ii)local vagrancy relief;(iii)children's organization and welfare;(iv)maintenance of Social Welfare Institutions such as Poor Home, Orphanages, Rescue Shelters;(v)sanctioning and distributing of pension for widows, old and physically disabled destitute and allowances for unemployed and couples of inter caste marriages in which one party is member of a Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes;(vi)control of fire out breaks;(vii)campaign against superstitions, casteism, untouchabilities, alcoholism, expensive marriages, social functions, dowry and conspicuous consumption;(viii)encouraging community marriages and inter-caste marriages;(ix)vigilance against economic offences such as smuggling, tax evasion, food adulteration;(x)assistance for developing land assigned to landless laborers;(xi)identify, free and rehabilitate bonded laborers;(xii)organize, cultural and recreation activities;(xiii)encouragement of sports and games;(xiv)give new form and social content to traditional festivals; and(xv)verification of weights and measures in (shopping) establishment.(20)Promotion of thrift and Savings Through. - (a) promotion of saving habits;(b)small saving campaign;(c)fight against illegal money lending practices and rural indebtedness.(2)In addition, the Zilla Parishad may(a)manage or maintain any work or public utility or any institution vested in it or under its control and management:(b)acquire and maintain village hats and markets;(c)make grants to Anchalik Panchayat and Gaon Panchayats;(d)co-ordinate and integrate the development plans and schemes prepared by Anchalik Panchayat in the district;(e)adopt measures for the relief to the people in distress;(f)examine and sanction the budget estimates of Anchalik Panchayats in the district;(g)undertake or executive any schemes extending to more than one Block;(h)take over the maintenance and control of any rural bridge, tank, ghat, well, channel or drain belonging to private owner or any other authority on such terms as may be agreed upon.(3)The Zilla Parishad may be vested by the State Government with such power under any Act as the Government may deem fit.(4)The Zilla Parishad of two or more adjacent districts may jointly undertake and execute any development schemes on such terms and conditions as may be mutually agreed upon.
