Features of panchayat raj system in …

1. Uniform three tier Panchayati Raj system at the village, intermediate and district levels. However, States with a population of less than 20 lakhs are given the option to avoid intermediate level Panchayat.
2. Gram Sabha has been hailed as foundation stone of the Panchayat System.
3. State legislatures by law may make provisions for the composition of the Panchayats.
4. Elections to all the three tiers and to the Chairperson of village Panchayat shall be direct.
5. The Chairperson of a Panchayat and other members of Panchayat shall have the right to vote in the meetings of Panchayat.
6. The Chairperson of a Panchayat at the village level shall be elected in such a manner as the legislature of a state may by law, provide. The Chairperson of a Panchayat at the intermediate level or district level shall be elected by and amongst, the elected members.
7. Reservation of seats for the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in proportion to their population. Out of the total seats reserved for the SCs and STs Not less than one-third seats to be reserved for Women belonging to SCs and STs.
8. One-third of seats at all the three levels and also the Chairperson elected to three levels, to be reserved for women. It includes the number of seats reserved for SC and ST women.