Villages

East Godavari District is having 271 Villages covering 19 Mandals.  The main object of the Panchayat Raj Department is to provide civic amenities to the rural public.

Civic amenities:

Sanitation, Drinking Water Supply, Street Lighting and to take up developmental activities in and around the village according to funds availability.
Besides, that this Department is taken up different activities as entrusted by the District Administration and by the Government like distribution of NTR Bharosa pensions, construction of ISLs etc.

Income sources of the Gram Panchayat :

House Tax, Fishery Leases, Avenues, Market kisties, Aseelu, Layout and building fee, Kabela etc., The Government have been releasing Grants under 14th Finance Commission regularly to the Gram Panchayats to take up developmental activities as per guidelines issued thereunder.

The Panchayat Secretary set up was introduced by the Government in the year 2002 and their job chart was designed vide G.O.Ms.No.295,PR&RD Dt. 2007. The immediate superior officer for the Panchayat Secretary is Extension Officer(PR&RD) and he has to ensure that the administration in the Gram Panchayat is in order and in accordance with Law and provisions.

The next level hierarchy is Divisional Panchayat Officer and then District Panchayat Officer. They will inspect the Gram Panchayats periodically and see that the administration of such Gram Panchayats are in order.

There is every need to augment the resources of the Gram Panchayats to meet the daily needs of sanitation, drinking water supply and street lighting which are mandatory to provide to the general public residing in rural areas.

For this, the Gram Panchayats have to levy Drainage Cess and Lighting cess , advertisement Tax on hoardings erected in the limits of the Gram Panchayats.