166. Powers, duties and functions of village panchayat

1. ⁹³[**] It shall be the duty of the village panchayat to meet the requirements of the village panchayat area in respect of the matters enumerated in the Third Schedule:
   ⁹⁴[Provided that it shall be the duty of the village panchayat to render services to the inhabitants of the village panchayat area in respect of the matters enumerated as mandatory functions in the Third Schedule].
2. Subject to the other provisions of this Act and the guidelines and assistance financial, technical or otherwise, of the Government, the village panchayat shall have exclusive power to administer the matters enumerated in the Third Schedule 95[and to prepare and implement schemes relating there to for economic development and social justice]
3. Village Panchayat shall also have powers to enhance employment facilities and to undertake developmental activities and to start manpower banks, under the leadership of the village panchayats.
   ⁹⁶Explanation. - Man Power Bank means a bank having the known details of skilled and unskilled persons who are willing to render service on requirement and the village panchayat shall maintain a register for the purpose and it shall contain other details as prescribed.]
4. The Government, the district panchayat and the block panchayat shall subject to availability of resources provide necessary financial, technical and other assistance to the village panchayats to enable them to discharge their functions.
5. All grants-in-aid sanctioned by the Government in respect of the matters enumerated in the Third Schedule shall be distributed through the village panchayat concerned.
6. The Government shall, as soon as may be, after the commencement of this Act, transfer all institutions, schemes, buildings and other properties, assets and liabilities connected with the matters referred to in the Third Schedule to the Village Panchayat ⁹⁷[and every institution so transferred shall be in the name of the said village panchayat and shall be known accordingly]
7. ^98[The village Panchayat shall administer the institutions and schemes transferred to it, subject to the guidelines and technical assistance of the Government and in accordance with the state and national policies.
8. The village panchayat shall not have any power to sell, transfer, alienate or pledge the properties transferred to it.]

⁹³Omitted by Act 13 of 1999.
⁹⁴Aided by Act 13 of 1999.
⁹⁵Ibid
⁹⁶Added by Act 13 of 1999.
⁹⁷Ibid
⁹⁸I bid