LexThe Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act.
Maharashtra · state statute
Open in Lexace · Ask the AI about this act1959 : III] 1
THE MAHARASHTRA VILLAGE PANCHAYATS ACT
[Text as on 13th January 2026]
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CONTENTS
PREAMBLE.
SECTIONS.
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title.
2. Extent and commencement.
3. Definitions.
CHAPTER II
GRAM SABHAS, ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTITUTION OF PANCHAYATS
4. Declaration of village.
5. Establishment of panchayats.
6. [Deleted].
7. Meeting of Gram Sabha.
8. Panchayat to place before Gram Sabha statement of accounts, etc., and duties of Gram
Sabha.
8A. [Deleted].
8AA. Powers and duties of Gram Sabha.
9. Incorporation of panchayats.
10. Constitution of panchayats.
10-1A. Person contesting election for reserved seat to submit Caste Certificate and Validity
Certificate.
10A. State Election Commission.
11. Election.
12. List of voters.
13. Persons qualified to vote and be elected.
13A. Vacation of Seats.
14. Disqualifications.
14A. Disqualification arising out of certain convictions and corrupt practices under this Act.
14B. Disqualification by State Election Commission.
15. Determination of validity of election; enquiry by Judge; procedure.
15A. Bar to interference by Courts in electoral matters.
16. Disability from continuing as member.
17. [Deleted].
18. Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling stations.
2 The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act [1959 : III
19. Penalty for disorderly conduct in or near polling station.
20. Penalty for misconduct at polling station.
21. Maintenance of secrecy of voting.
22. Officers, etc. at elections not to act for candidates or influence voting.
23. Breaches of official duty in connection with elections.
24. Removal of ballot papers from polling stations to be an offence.
25. Other offences and penalties therefor.
26. Prosecution in certain offences.
27. Term of office of members.
28. Commencement of term of office.
29. Registration of member and disputes regarding resignation.
30. Election of Sarpanch.
30A-1A. Direct Election of Sarpanch.
30A-1B. [Deleted].
30-1A. Person contesting election for reserved office of Sarpanch to submit Caste Certificate
and Validity Certificate.
30A. Election of Upa-Sarpanch.
31. Terms of office of Sarpanch and Upa-Sarpanch.
32. [Deleted].
32A. Travelling and daily allowances to members.
33. Procedure for election of Sarpanch and Upa-Sarpanch.
33A. Sumptuary allowance to Sarpanch.
34. Resignation by Sarpanch or Upa-Sarpanch.
35. Motion of no confidence.
36. Time and place of sitting of panchayat and procedure at meetings.
37. Modification or cancellation of resolutions.
38. Executive power of panchayat Functions of Sarpanch and Upa-Sarpanch.
39. Removal from office.
39A. Power of Government to direct inquiry.
40. Leave of absence.
41. [Deleted].
42. Eligibility of certain members for re-election.
43. Filling up of vacancies.
44. Vacancy not to affect proceedings of panchayat.
CHAPTER III
ADMINISTRATIVE POWERS AND DUTIES
45. Administrative powers and duties of panchayats.
45A. [Deleted].
1959 : III] The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act 3
46. Powers of Parishads and Samitis to transfer management of institution or execution or
maintenance of work.
47. Powers of State Government to transfer execution of other works.
48. Other duties.
49. Village Development Committees.
49A. Beneficiary Level Sub-Committees.
50. Joint Committees of two or more local bodies.
51. Government may vest certain lands in panchayats.
52. Control on erection of buildings.
53. Obstructions and encroachments upon public streets and open sites.
54. Numbering of premises.
CHAPTER III-A
SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR GRAM SABHA AND PANCHAYATS IN SCHEDULED AREAS
54-1A. Special provisions relating to village and Gram Sabha.
54A. Powers and duties of Gram Sabha in Scheduled Areas.
54B. Powers and duties of Panchayats in Scheduled Areas.
54C. Meeting of Gram Sabha.
54D. Motion of no confidence.
CHAPTER IV
PANCHAYAT : ITS PROPERTY AND FUND
55. Competency of panchayat to lease, sell or transfer property.
56. Property of Panchayat.
57. Village fund.
57A. Power of Panchayats to borrow.
58. Application of village fund.
59. Decision of claims to property by or against Panchayat.
CHAPTER V
ESTABLISHMENT, BUDGET AND ACCOUNTS
60. Secretary of Panchayat.
60A. Certain duties of Secretary.
61. Appointment of servants.
61A. Provisions for development of Panchayats as growth centres.
62. Budget and accounts.
62A. Revised or supplementary budget.
CHAPTERS VI, VII AND VIII
ESTABLISHMENT, BUDGET AND ACCOUNTS
63 to 123. [Deleted].
4 The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act [1959 : III
CHAPTER IX
TAXATION AND RECOVERY OF CLAIMS
124. Levy of taxes and fees by Panchayats.
124A. [Deleted].
125. [Deleted].
126. Farming of fees on markets, etc.
127. Levy and collection of cess on every rupee of land revenue.
127A. Suspension or remission of cesses.
128. Power of Panchayat Samiti to increase taxation of Panchayat.
129. Recovery of taxes and other dues.
130. Collector’s power to direct irrecoverable sums to be written off.
CHAPTER X
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO PANCHAYATS
131. Grant of sum equal to averag e of amounts of land revenue realised during each
quinquennium commencing on 1st April, 1964.
132. Loans by Zilla Parishads.
132A. Equalisation grant.
132B. Village Water Supply Fund.
133. District Village Development Fund.
CHAPTER XI
CONTROL
134. [Deleted].
134A. [Deleted].
135. Duties of Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis.
136. Appointment of District Village Panchayat Officers.
137. Power to call for proceedings, etc.
138. Delegation of duties, etc.
139. Power of entry.
139A. Power of authorised officer or person to inspect and give technical guidance, etc.
139B. Power of Chief Executive Officer or any officer to inspect office of Panchayat.
140. Audit of accounts of Panchayat.
141. Reduction of establishment.
142. Suspension of execution of order.
143. Execution of work in case of emergency.
144. Default in performance of duty.
144A. Power to take action, where default is made by Panchayat in taking over or
maintaining rural drinking water supply schemes.
145. Dissolution of Panchayat.
146. Dissolution and reconstitution of Panchayat on alteration of limits of village.
1959 : III] The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act 5
147. Vesting of property, etc. , of Panchayat which has been dissolved and reconstituted or
established.
148. Effect of area being excluded from village.
149. Effect of area ceasing to be a village.
150. [Deleted].
151. Powers and duties of Panchayat not validly constituted to be performed by person
appointed by Government.
152. Panchayat to conform to instructions given by Parishad and Samiti.
153. Inquiry by officers of State Government.
153A. Powers of State Government to give instructions and issue of directions to the
Panchayats.
153B. Power of State Government to give instructions and issue of directions to Gram Sabha
or Panchayat in Scheduled Areas.
154. Authority of State Government, Commissioners and Collectors.
155. State Government may call for proceedings.
CHAPTER XII
PROVISIONS FOR CONVERSION OF A MUNICIPALITY INTO A PANCHAYAT AND FOR
AMALGAMATION AND DIVISIONS OF PANCHAYATS
156. Interpretation.
157. Effect of conversion of Municipality into Panchayat.
158. Term of office of members of interim Panchayat and their powers.
159. Effect of amalgamation of villages.
160. Effect of division of villages.
CHAPTER XIII
CATTLE POUNDS
161. Cattle-trespass Act to cease to apply.
162. Power to establish cattle pounds and appoint pound keepers.
163. Penalty for allowing cattle to stray in street or to trespass upon private o r public
property.
164. Impounding cattle.
165. Delivery of cattle claimed.
166. Sale of cattle not claimed.
167. Pound-fees and expenses chargeable to be fixed.
168. Complaints of illegal seizure or detention.
168A. Security in respect of impounded cattle.
168B. Removal of cattle to specified places.
CHAPTER XIV
169 to 175. [Deleted].
6 The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act [1959 : III
CHAPTER XV
RULES AND BYE-LAWS
176. Rules.
177. By-laws.
CHAPTER XVI
MISCELLANEOUS
178. Liability of members for loss, waste or misapplication.
179. Power of Collector to recover record and money.
180. Bar of action against Panchayats, etc., and previous notice before institution.
181. Bar of action against Zilla Parishad, Standing Committee or Panchayat Samiti, etc.,
and previous notice before institution.
182. Delegation of powers.
183. Local enquiry and reports by Panchayat.
184. Members, etc., of panchayat to be public servants.
184A. Panchayat Samiti to exercise duties in respect of Panchayats within its area.
184B. Powers of Police Officers.
184C. Suspension of operation of Act, Rules and Bye-laws.
185. Repeal.
186. Savings.
187. Provision for removal of difficulties.
188. Amendment of certain Acts.
SCHEDULE I
SCHEDULE II
1959 : III] The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act 7
LIST OF AMENDMENT ACTS
1. Amended by Bom. 53 of 1959
2. Adapted and modified by the Maharashtra Adaptation of Laws (State and Concurrent
Subjects) Order, 1960.
3. Amended by Mah. 48 of 1961
4. Amended by Mah. 5 of 1962
5. Amended by Mah. 43 of 1962
6. Amended by Mah. 26 of 1963
7. Amended by Mah. 35 of 1963
8. Amended by Mah. 36 of 1965
9. Amended by Mah. 50 of 1965
10. Amended by Mah. 10 of 1968
11. Amended by Mah. 34 of 1970
12. Amended by Mah. 35 of 1972 (1-11-1973)
13. Amended by Mah. 38 of 1973 (1-11-1973)
14. Amended by Mah. 6 of 1975 (1-5-1975)1
15. Amended by Mah. 13 of 19752
16. Amended by Mah. 16 of 1975 (1-4-1976)
17. Amended by Mah. 11 of 1976 (14-4-1976)
18. Amended by Mah. 4 of 1981 (2-3-1981)
19. Amended by Mah. 56 of 1981 (2-3-1981)
20. Amended by Mah. 2 of 1982 (6-1-1982)
21. Amended by Mah. 10 of 1990
22. Amended by Mah. 10 of 19923
23. Amended by Mah. 21 of 19944
24. Amended by Mah. 31 of 1994
25. Amended by Mah. 52 of 1994 (16-12-1994)
26. Amended by Mah. 5 of 1997 (2-1-1997)
27. Amended by Mah. 40 of 1997 (7-8-1997)
28. Amended by Mah. 46 of 1997 (29-12-1997)
29. Amended by Mah. 1 of 19985
1 This indicates the date of commencement of Act so far as it amends the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958.
2 Section 1 of Mah. 13 of 1975 came into force on 28 -5-1975, sections 3 to 17, 19 to 21 and 24 to 38 came into force on
15-8-1975 and sections 2, 22 and 23 of the said Act came into force on 1 -10-1975 vide G.N. R.D.D., No. VPA.
1074/12739-XII, dated 1 st August 1975 and section 18 came into force on 1 -4-1979 vide G.N. R.D.D., No. VPA.
1074/12739/(1634)-XII, dated 16th March 1979.
3 This Act came into force on 2 -10-1992, vide G.N., R.D. and W.C.D., No. VPM. 2692/223/CR -3824/21, dated
16th September, 1992.
4 This Act came into force on 23-4-1994, vide G.N., R.D. and W.C.D., No. PRJ. 1093/CR-2194/06, dated 23rd April, 1994.
5 Mah. I of 1998 has not been brought into force.
Note.- The date mentioned in the bracket indicates the date of commencement of the Act.
8 The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act [1959 : III
30. Amended by Mah. 6 of 2000 (5-7-1999)
31. Amended by Mah. 21 of 20001
32. Amended by Mah. 27 of 2000 (2-3-2000)
33. Amended by Mah. 34 of 2000 (5-8-2000)
34. Amended by Mah. 44 of 2000 (13-9-2000)
35. Amended by Mah. 16 of 2001 (10-2-2001)
36. Amended by Mah. 36 of 2001 (26-12-2001)
37. Amended by Mah. 3 of 20032 (16-10-2002)
38. Amended by Mah. 23 of 20033, 4, 5
39. Amended by Mah. 27 of 2003
40. Amended by Mah. 28 of 2003
41. Amended by Mah. 3 of 2004
42. Amended by Mah. 20 of 2005
43. Amended by Mah. 37 of 2006 (21-12-2006)
44. Amended by Mah. 38 of 2006 (21-12-2006)
45. Amended by Mah. 21 of 20076 (12-6-2007)
46. Amended by Mah. 5 of 20097
47. Amended by Mah. 27 of 20098 (31-8-2009)
48. Amended by Mah. 16 of 2010 (6-5-2010)
49. Amended by Mah. 23 of 20109 (9-6-2010)
50. Amended by Mah. 28 of 2010 (9-6-2010)
51. Amended by Mah. 33 of 201010 (10-1-2011)
52. Amended by Mah. 19 of 2011 (21-4-2011)
1 Mah. 21 of 2000 has not been brought into force.
2 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XII of 2002 was repealed by Mah. 3 of 2003, s. 5(1).
3 Sections 4 and 6 of Mah. 23 of 2003 came into force on 14 -1-2003; and Sections 2, 3 and 5 of the said Act came into
force on 2-7-2003.
4 Section 6 of Mah. 23 of 2003 reads as under :—
6. Saving.— (1) Any notification issued under section 4 of the principal Act, or any order, direction or instruction
issued under the principal Act on or after the coming into force of section 4 of the Bombay Village Panchayats (Second
Amendment) Act, 2003 (Mah. XXIII of 2003) , shall be deemed never to have been issued and on account of issue of
such notification, order, direction or, as the case may be, instruction , the existing panchayat whose limits have been
altered, shall not be dissolved or shall be deemed never to have been dissolved, and any member of such panchayat shall
be deemed never to have vacated his office and accordingly all the members of such panchayat shall and shall be deemed
to have been continued as such members till the completion of their term.
(2) No suit, application or any legal proceeding shall lie or be maintainable in any Court or before any officer or
authority solely on the ground th at the notification under section 4 of the principal Act, altering the limits of such
existing panchayat was already issued on or before the date of coming into force of section 4 of the Bombay Village
Panchayats (Second Amendment) Act, 2003 (Mah. XXIII of 2003).
5 Maharashtra Ordinance No. V of 2003 and Maharashtra Ordinance No. VII of 2003 were repealed by Mah. 23 of 2003,
s. 8(1).
6 Maharashtra Ordinance No. IV of 2007 was repealed by Mah. 21 of 2007, s. 4
7 Sections l and 7 of Mah. 5 of 2009 came in to force on 7 -1-2009 and sections 2 to 6 and section 8 of the said Act came
into force on 1-8-2009, vide G. N., R. D. and W. C. D., No. MISC. 2007/C.R. 157/PR-2, dated the 15th March, 2009.
8 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XXI of 2009 was repealed by Mah. 27 of 2009, s. 9(1).
9 Maharashtra Ordinance No. V of 2010 was repealed by Mah. 23 of 2010, s. 4(1).
10 This Act came into force on 10-1-2011, vide G. N., No. SANKIRNA 2010/C.R.-122/PR-2, dated the 11th January 2011.
Note.- The date mentioned in the bracket indicates the date of commencement of the Act.
1959 : III] The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act 9
53. Amended by Mah. 27 of 20111 (8-6-2011)
54. Amended by Mah. 39 of 20112 (5-10-2011)
55. Amended by Mah. 16 of 20123 (2-10-2012)
56. Amended by Mah. 22 of 20124
57. Amended by Mah. 24 of 2012 (22-8-2012)
58. Amended by Mah. 29 of 20125 (4-10-2012)
59. Amended by Mah. 18 of 20146 (30-1-2014)
60. Amended by Governor Notification7 (30-10-2014)
61. Amended by Mah. 46 of 20148 (15-05-2015)
62. Amended by Mah. 7 of 2015 (26-03-2015)
63. Amended by Mah. 10 of 2016 (31-03-2016)
64. Amended by Governor Notification9 (13-04-2016)
65. Amended by Governor Notification10 (27-02-2017)
66. Amended by Mah. 28 of 201711 (31-01-2017)
67. Amended by Mah. 42 of 201712 (1-07-2017)
68. Amended by Mah. 11 of 201813 (15-02-2018)14
69. Amended by Mah. 24 of 201815 (9-02-2018)
1 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XV of 2011 was repealed by Mah. 27 of 2011, s. 4(1)
2 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XIX of 2011 was repealed by Mah. 39 of 2011, s. 5(1).
3 This Act came into force on 2 -10-2012, vide G. N., R. D., and W.C.D. No. MISC 2010/C.R. 187/PR -2, dated the
1st October 2012 (M.G.G., Extra-ord. Part-IV-B) (Extra-ordinary No. 135).
4 This Act yet to be brought into force.
5 Maharashtra Ordinance No. IX of 2012 was repealed by Mah. 29 of 2012, s. 4(1).
6 Maharashtra Ordinance No. II of 2014 was repealed by Mah. 18 of 2014, s. 3(1).
7 Notification No. RB/TC/e -11019(89)(2013)/Notification-4/1120/2014, dated the 30 th October 2014 issued by the Office
of the Governor of Maharashtra, see Maharashtra Government Gazette , Part VIII, Extraordinary No. 98, dated
30-10-2014, page 1-5.
8 Sections 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Mah. 43 of 2014 came into force vide G.N., R.D. & W. C.D., No. VPM. 2015/CR -39/ PR.4.,
dated 15th May 2015.
9 Notification No. RB/TC/e -13012(1)(2015)/Notification-506/2016, dated the 13 th April 2016 issued by the Office of the
Governor of Maharashtra, see Maharashtra Government Gazette , Part VIII, Extraordinary No. 41, dated 13 -04-2016,
page 1-2.
10 Notification No. RB/TC/e -13012(1)(2015)/Notification-238/2017, dated the 27 th February 2017 issued by the Office of
the Governor of Maharashtra, see Maharashtra Government Gazette, Part VIII, Extraordinary No. 37, dated 27 -02-2017,
page 1-2.
11 Maharashtra Ordinance No. V of 2017 was repealed by Mah. XXVIII of 2017, s. 4(1).
12 All sections except sections 13 to 31 of Mah. 42 of 2017 came into force vide G.N., F.D., No. MGST. 1017/
CR101(2)/Taxation-1, dated 29th June 2017.
13 Section 4 of Mah. 11 of 2018 reads as under :—
“4. Repeal and Saving. — (1) The Maharashtra Village Panchayats (Payment of Lump -sum Contribution by
Factories in Lieu of Taxes) Rules, 1961 shall stand repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding deletion of section 125 of the principal Act and repeal of the Maharashtra Village Panchayats
(Payment of Lump-sum Contribution by Factories in Lieu of Taxes) Rules, 1961 the agreements entered into or executed
in pursuance thereof, shall be valid for a period mentioned in the agreements and shall then expire:
Provided that, the tax may be levied and collected separately,—
(i) if during the period the agreement is effective, Panchayat imposes any new taxes as per the provisions of the
principal Act or rules made thereunder; or
(ii) if the occupier constructs a new building in his pre mises or makes material attentions in any existing
building.”.
14 vide G.N., R.D.D., No. VPM. 2016/C.R.126/PR. 4(22), dated 15th February 2018.
15 Maharashtra Ordinance No. V of 2018 was repealed by Mah. XXIV of 2018, s. 4(1).
Note.- The date mentioned in the bracket indicates the date of commencement of the Act.
10 The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act [1959 : III
70. Amended by Mah. 54 of 20181,2 (19-7-2017)
71. Amended by Mah. 66 of 20183,4 (11-10-2018)
72. Amended by Mah. 2 of 20205
73. Amended by Mah. 4 of 2020
74. Amended by Mah. 25 of 20206 (25-6-2020)
75. Amended by Mah. 4 of 20227 (6-12-2021)
1 Maharashtra Ordinance No. II of 2018 was repealed by Mah. 54 of 2018, s. 23.
2 Section 22 of Mah. 54 of 2018 reads as under :—
“22. Power to remove difficulty.— (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of the Maharashtra
Village Panchayats Act (III of 1959), as amended by this Act, the State Government may, by an order published in the
Official Gazette , as the occasion arises, make such provisions not inconsistent with provisions of the said Act, as
amended by this Act, as may appear it to be necessary or expedient for purpose of removing the difficulty :
Provided that, no such order shall be made after the expiry of a period of two years from the date of commencement o f
this Act.
(2) Every order made under sub -section (1) shall be laid, as soon as may be, after it is made, before each House of
the State Legislature.”.
3 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XXI of 2018 was repealed by Mah. 66 of 2018, s. 10.
4 Section 7, 8 and 9 reads as under :—
“7. Saving as to certain election. — (1) Nothing in this Act shall affect the elections conducted by the State
Election Commission for conducting the elections or any programme declared by it therefor, prior to the date of
commencement of the Maharashtra Village Panchayats and the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis
(Amendment) Act, 2018 (Mah. LXVI of 2018), for filling up the resultant vacancy in view of the provisions of section
10-1A or section 30 -1A of the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act (III of 1959); section 12A or sub -section (6A) of
section 42 or sub -section (7A) of section 67 of the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961 (Mah.
V of 1962), as it stood prior to such date of commencement.
8. Saving as to certain disqualifications. — Any person, who has obtained the Caste Certificate and Validity
Certificate, but has not filed such certificate prior to the date of commencement of this Act, shall not be deemed to be
disqualified under the provisi ons of the relevant Panchayat law, if he submits such certificate within a period of three
months from the date of commencement of this Act:
Provided that, the provisions of this section shall not apply where the State Election Commission has already pri or
to the date of commencement of this Act held elections to fill the Vacancy of such person or declared the program for
holding of such election.
9. Power to remove difficulty. — (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of the Maha rashtra
Village Panchayats Act (III of 1959) or, as the case may be, the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Smitis Act,
1961 (Mah. V of 1962), as amended by this Act, the State Government may, as the occasion arises, by an Order
published in the Official Gazette, give such directions not inconsistent with the provisions of the said Acts as amended by
this Act, as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of removing the difficulty.
(2) Every order made under sub -section (1) shall be laid, as soon as may be, after it is made, before each House of
the State Legislature:
Provided that, no such order shall be made after expiry of the period of two years from the commencement of this
Act.”
5 Sections 12 and 13 of Mah. 2 of 2020 reads as under :—
“12. Removal of doubts. — (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in section 30A -1B of the principal Act, if any
order in respect of election or bye-election of a panchayat is issued or any procedure for election of or bye-election of the
panchayat commenced, before the date of commencement of the Maharashtra Village Panchayats (Amendment) Act,
2020 (Mah. II of 2020), such election shall be held as per the provisions of section 30A-1A.
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in second provi so to sub -section (1) of section 43 of the principal Act, as
amended by this Act, if any order in respect of filling of casual vacancy of directly elected Sarpanch is issued or any
procedure for filling of casual vacancy of directly elected Sarpanch is commenced, before the date of commencement of
the Maharashtra Village Panchayats (Amendment) Act, 2020 (Mah. II of 2020), such election shall be held as per the
provisions of the second proviso the sub-section (1) of section 43, as it existed before the commencement of this Act.
13. Power to remove difficulty.— (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of the principal Act,
as amended by this Act, the State Government may, by an order published in the Official Gazette, as the occasion arises,
make such provisions not inconsistent with the provisions of the principal Act, as amended by this Act, as may appear to
it to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of the removing of the difficulty:
Provided that, no such order shall be made, after the expiry of a period of two years, from the date of commencement of
this Act.
(2) Every order made under sub -section (1) shall be laid , as soon as may be, after it is made, before each House of
the State Legislature.”.
6 Maharashtra Ordinance No. X of 2020 was repealed by Mah. 25 of 2020, s. 3.
7 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XIV of 2021 was repealed by Mah. 4 of 2022, s. 7.
1959 : III] The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act 11
75. Amended by Mah. 19 of 20221 (23-9-2021)
76. Amended by Mah. 22 of 20222
77. Amended by Mah. 42 of 20223,4 (27-7-2022)
78. Amended by Mah. 15 of 2023
79. Amended by Mah. 30 of 20235 (28-4-2023)
80. Amended by Mah. 43 of 2025 (29-8-2025)
81. Amended by Mah. 48 of 20256 (3-11-2025)
1 Maharashtra Ordinance No. III of 2021 was repealed by Mah. 19 of 2022, s. 8.
2 Section 6 of Mah. 22 of 2022 reads as under :—
6. Annulment of division of wards, electoral divisions and electoral colleges. — Notwithstanding anything
contained in the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act (III of 1959) and the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act and
the rules made thereunder, where the process,—
(i) to divide a village into wards and to determine number of members of Panchayat to be elected from each ward;
(ii) to divide a district into electoral divisions and to determine the number of councilors to be elected from each
electoral division, or
(iii) to divide an electoral division into electoral colleges, is started or completed by the State Election Commission,
before the date of commencement of the Maharashtra Village Panchayats and Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Pan chayat
Samitis (Amendment) Act, 2022 (Mah. XXII of 2022), such process shall be deemed to be annulled; and the process to
divide the wards. Electoral divisions or electoral colleges and determination of number of memebers of panchayat or
councilors of Zilla Parishads to be elected from each ward or electoral division shall be done afresh according to the
provisions of the Maharshtra Village Panchayats Act and the Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samits Act, (III of 1959) as
amended by this Act.”.
3 Maharashtra Ordinance No. V of 2022 was repealed by Mah. 42 of 2022, s. 9.
4 Section 9 of Mah. 42 of 2022 reads as under :—
“9. Repeal of Mah. Ord. V of 2022 and saving. — (1) The Maharashtra Village Panchayats (Amendment)
Ordinance, 2022 (Mah. Ord. V of 2022), is hereby repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken (including any notification or order issued)
under the corresponding provisions of the principal Act, as amended by the said Ordinance, shall be deemed to have been
done, taken or issued, as the case may be, under the corresponding provisions of the principal Act, as amended
by this Act.”.
5 Maharashtra Ordinance No. I of 2023 was repealed by Mah. 30 of 2023, s. 7.
6 Maharashtra Ordinance No. XII of 2025 was repealed by Mah. 48 of 2025, s. 7.
Note.- The date mentioned in the bracket indicates the date of commencement of the Act.
12 The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act [1959 : III
1959 : III] The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act 13
ACT No. III of 19591
[THE MAHARASHTRA VILLAGE PANCHAYATS ACT.]
[This Act received the assent of the President on 14th January 1959; assent was first published
in the Maharashtra Government Gazette, Part IV, on the 23rd January 1959.]
An Act to amend and consolidate the law relating to the constitution and administration
of village panchayats in the State of Bombay, and for certain other matters.
WHEREAS it is expedient to amend and consolidate the law relating to the constitution and
administration of village panchayats in t he State of Bombay with a view to establishing a village
panchayat for every village or group of villages and investing them with such powers and authority as
may be necessary to enable them to function as units of local self -government and of development
activities in rural areas, and for certain other matters; It is hereby enacted in the Nineth Year of the
Republic of India as follows :—
CHAPTER I
PRELIMINARY
1. Short title.— This Act may be called 2[the Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act].
2. Extent and commencement.— (1) It extends to the whole of the 3[State of Maharashtra],
except the areas within the limits of a municipal corporation, municipality or cantonment established
by or under any law for the time being in force.
(2) It shall come into fo rce on such 4date as the State Government may, by notification in the
Official Gazette, appoint.
3. Definitions.— In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
5[* * * * * * * *]
(a-2) “Auditor” means an Auditor as defined in the Bombay L ocal Fund Audit Act, 19 30
(Bom. XXV of 1930) 6[and in relation to a panchayat having an annual income (including grant
received from the State Government) of 7[not exceeding rupees Ten thousand includes a Gram sabha
and exceeding rupees Ten thousand but l ess than rupees Twenty -five thousand] also includes an
Extension Officer duly authorised in writing by the Chief Executive Officer] ;
8[(a-3) “Backward Class of citizens” means such classes or parts of or groups within such classes
as are declared, from t ime to time, by the State Government to be Other Backward Classes and
Vimukta Jatis and Nomadic Tribes ;]
9[(aa-1) “ballot box” or “ballot paper” includes an electronic voting machine used at an election
for giving or recording of votes ;]
10[(a-4) “Benef iciary Level Sub -Committee” means a sub -committee constituted under section
49A for a particular programme, scheme, activity or utility having regard to the geographical,
geohydrological, technological, economic, social and demographic situation of the hab itation (ward,
wasti, wadi, tanda, pada or by whatever name such independent habitation may be called) or part
thereof in the panchayat ;]
1 For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Bombay Government Gazette, 1958, Part V, pp. 279-289.
2 This short title was substituted for “the Bombay Village Panchayats Act, 1958” by Mah. 24 of 2012, s. 2, Schedule, entry
74, with effect from 1st May 1960.
3 These words were substituted for the words “State of Bombay” by the Maharashtra Adaptation of Laws (State and
Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1960.
4 1st day of June 1959, vide G. N., L. S. G. and P. H. D., No. VPA. 1059-P, dated 23rd May 1959.
5 This clause was deleted by Mah. 21 of 1994, s. 2(1).
6 This portion was added by Mah. 13 of 1975, s. 2(a).
7 These words were substituted for the words “less than Rs. 5,000” by Mah. 3 of 2004, s. 2.
8 Clause (a-3) was inserted by Mah. 21 of 1994, s. 2(2).
9 This clause was inserted by Mah. 20 of 2005, s. 2.
10 This clause was inserted by Mah. 23 of 2003, s. 2(a).
14 The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act [1959 : III
(1) “building” includes a hut, shed, or other enclosure, whether used as a human dwelling or for
any other purpose w hatsoever and also includes walls, verandahs, fixed platforms, plinths, doorsteps
and the like ;
(2) “by-laws” means the by-laws made by the 1[Zilla Parishad] under section 177 ;
2[* * * * *]
(4) “Cattle” includes elephant s, camels, buffaloes, horse s, mares, geldings, ponies, colts, fillies,
mules, asses, swine, sheep, ewes, rambs, lambs, goats and kids ;
3[(4A) “Commissioner” means the Commissioner of a revenue division appointed under section 6
of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 (Mah. XLI of 1966) ;]
4[* * * * *]
5[(6) “Zilla Parishad” means a Zilla Parishad constituted under the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads
and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961 (Mah. V of 1962) ;]
6[* * * * *]
(8) “factory” means a factory as defined in the Factories Act, 1948 (LXIII of 1948) ;
7[(8A) “Finance Commission” means the Finance Commission constituted in accordance with the
provisions of article 243-I of the Constitution of India ;]
8[(9) “Gram Sabha” means a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to
village comprised within the area of the panchayat ;]
(10) “land” includes land which is built upon, or covered with water ;
(11) “list of voters” means a list of voters provided for and maintained under section 12 ;
9[* * * * *]
10[(11AA) “Local Panchayat Tax” means a tax on the entry of goods into the limits of any
panchayat other than the area of panchayat included in the limits of the notified area within the
meaning of clause (11B) for consumption, use or sale therein, l evied in accordance with the provisions
of section 124 ;]
11[(11AAA) “member” means a member duly elected as a member of panchayat under section 11
and include the Sarpanch of panchayat elected directly under section 30A-1A ;]
12[* * * * *]
13[* * * * *]
(14) “panchayat” means a panchayat established or deemed to have been est ablished under this
Act ;
1 These words were substituted f or the words “District Village Panchayat Mandal ” by Mah. 5 of 1962, s. 286, Tenth
Schedule.
2 Clauses (3), (5) and (12) were deleted by Mah. 13 of 1975, s. 2(b).
3 Clause (4A) was inserted by Mah. 38 of 2006, s. 2.
4 Clause (5) was deleted by Mah. 42 of 2017, s. 47.
5 Clause (6) was substituted by Mah. 5 of 1962, s. 286, Tenth Schedule.
6 Clause (7) was deleted by Mah. 5 of 1962.
7 Clause (8A) was inserted by Mah. 21 of 1994, s. 2(3).
8 Clause (9) was substituted by Mah. 21 of 1994, s. 2(4).
9 Clause (11A) was deleted by Mah. 42 of 2017, s. 47.
10 Clause (11AA) was inserted by Mah. 22 of 2012, s. 2, however this section yet to be brought into force.
11 This clause was inserted by Mah. 54 of 2018, s. 2(a).
12 Clause (11B) was deleted by Mah. 42 of 2017, s. 47.
13 Clause (13) was deleted by Mah. 6 of 2000, s. 2.
1959 : III] The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act 15
1[(14A) “population” means the population as ascertained at the last preceding census of which
the relevant figures, 2[* * *] have been published ;
(15) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules ;
(16) “rules” means rules made, or deemed to have been made, under this Act ;
(17) “ Sarpanch” and “ Upa-Sarpanch” means a Sarpanch and Upa-Sarpanch elected under
section 30, 3[, 30A-1A] 4[30A,] 5[* *] or 43 ;
6[(17A) “Scheduled Areas” means the Scheduled Areas referred to in clause ( 1) of article 2 44 of
the Constitution of India ;]
(18) “Scheduled Castes” means such castes, races or tribes or parts of, or groups within, such
castes, races or tribes as are dee med to be Schedu led Castes in relation to the 7[State of Maharashtra]
under article 341 of the Constitution of India ;
(19) “Scheduled Tribes” means such tribes or tribal communities or parts of, or groups within,
such tribes or tribal communities as are d eemed to be Schedu led Tribes in relation to the 8[State of
Maharashtra] under article 342 of the Constitution of India ;
(20) “Secretary” means a Secretary of a panchayat appointed or deemed to be appoint ed under
section 60 of this Act ;
9[(20A) “State Election Commission” means the State Election Commission consisting of a State
Election Commissioner appointed in accordance with the provisions of clause ( 1) of article 243 -K of
the Constitution of India ;]
(21) “street” means any road, footway, square, c ourt, alley or passage accessible whether
permanently or temporarily to the public, whether a thoroughfare or not ;
10[* * * * *]
(23) “tax” means a tax, cess, rate or other impost leviable under this Act, but does not include
a fee ;
11[(24) “village” and “a group of villages” means the village or, as the case may be, a group of
villages specified in the notification issued under clause (g) of article 243 of the Constitution of India ;]
12[(24A) “Village Development Committee” means a committee const ituted under section 49,
which shall be deemed to be a committee of the panchayat ;]
(25) “ward” means an area into which a village is divided under clause ( b) of sub-section (1) of
section 10 for the purpose specified therein ;
(26) the expression “the term of a panchayat” means the period for which the members thereof
elected or deemed to be elected shall hold office under section 27 ;
13[(27) the expressions “Standing Co mmittee”, “Panchayat Samiti” 14[, “Chief Executive
Officer”,] 15[“Block Development O fficer” and “block grant”] shall have the meaning respectively
assigned to them in the Maharashtra Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis Act, 1961
(Mah. V of 1962).]
1 Clause (14A) was inserted by Mah. 13 of 1975, s. 2(c).
2 The words “whether provisional or final” were deleted by Mah. 21 of 1994 s. 2(5).
3 These figures, letters and sign were inserted for the word and figures “section 30” by Mah. 54 of 2018, s. 2(b).
4 These figures and letter were inserted by Mah. 21 of 1994, s. 2(6).
5 The figures “41” were deleted by Mah. 22 of 1991, Second Schedule.
6 Clause (17A) was inserted by Mah. 40 of 1997, s. 2.
7 These words were substituted for the words “State of Bombay” by the Maharashtra Adaptation of Laws (State and
Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1960.
8 These words were substituted for the words “State of Bombay” by the Maharashtra Adaptation of Laws (S tate and
Concurrent Subjects) Order, 1960.
9 Clause (20A) was inserted by Mah. 21 of 1994, s. 2(7).
10 Clause (22) was deleted by Mah. 13 of 1975, s. 2(d).
11 Clause (24) was substituted by Mah. 21 of 1994, s. 2(8).
12 Clause (24A) was inserted by Mah. 23 of 2003, s. 2(b).
13 Clause (27) was inserted by Mah. 5 of 1962, s. 286, Tenth Schedule.
14 These words were substituted for the words and “Chief Executive Officer” by Mah. 36 of 1965, s. 2(b).
15 These words were substituted for the words and “Block Development Officer” by Mah. 34 of 1970, s. 2.
16 The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act [1959 : III
CHAPTER II
GRAM SABHAS, ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTITUTION OF PANCHAYATS
4. Declaration of village.— (1) 1[Every village specified in the notification issued under clause
(g) of article 243 of the Constitution of India shall be known by the name of that village specified in
that notification :]
2[Provided that, where a group of revenue villages or hamlets or other such administrative unit or
part thereof is 3[specified in that notification] to be a village, the village shall be known by the name of
the revenue village, hamlet or, as the case may be, administrative unit or part thereof, having the largest
population.]
(2) 4[Where the circumstances so require to include or exclude any local area from the local area
of a village or to alter the limits of a village or that a local area shall cease to be a village, then the
notification issued in the like manner after consultation wi th the Standing Committee and 5[the Gram
Sabha and] the Panchayat concerned, at any time, may provide to—]
(a) include within, or exclude from any village, any local area or otherwise alter the limits of
any village ; or
(b) declare that any local area shall cease to be a village ;
and thereupon the local area shall be so included or excluded, or the limits of the village so
altered, or, as the case may be, the local area shall cease to be a village.
5. Establishment of panchayats.— In every village there shall be a panchayat.
6[* * * * *]
7. Meetings of Gram Sabha.— (1) There shall be held at least 7[four meetings] of the Gram
Sabha 8[every financial year] on such date, at such 9[time and place, and in such manner], as may be
prescribed 10[and if the Sarpanch, or in his absence the Upa-Sarpanch fails without sufficient cause, to
11[hold 12[any of such 13[four meetings]]] he shall be disqualified for continuing as Sarpanch or, as the
case may be, Upa-Sarpan ch or for being chosen as such for the remainder of the term of office of the
members 14[of the panchayat; and the Secretary of the panchayat shall also if, prima facie , found
responsible of any lapse in convening such meeting, be liable to be suspended, and for being proceeded
against, for such other disciplinary action as provided under the relevant rules.] The decision of the
Collector on the question whether or not there was such sufficient cause shall be final :]
15[Provided that, the Sarpanch may, at any time of his own motion, and shall, on requisition of the
Standing Committee, Panchayat Samiti, or Chief Executive Officer, call a meeting of the Gram Sabha
within the period specified in the requisition; and, on the failure to do so, the Chief Executive Officer
shall require the Block Development Officer to call the meeting within fifteen days from the date he is
1 This portion was substituted for the portion beginning with the words “After making” and ending with the words “name
of ............... village” by Mah. 21 of 1994, s. 3(1)(a).
2 This was added by Mah. 36 of 1965, s. 3.
3 These words were substituted for the word “declared” by Mah. 21 of 1994, s. 3(1)(b).
4 This portion was substituted for the portion beginning with the words “After, consultation” and ending with the words
“any time” by Mah. 21 of 1994, s. 3(2).
5 These words were inserted by Mah. 28 of 2003, s. 2.
6 Section 6 was deleted by Mah. 28 of 2003, s. 4.
7 These words were substituted for the words “six meetings” by Mah. 16 of 2012, s. 2(1)(a).
8 These words were substituted for the words “every year” by Mah. 36 of 1965, s. 4(a).
9 These words were substituted for the words “time and place” by Mah. 21 of 2000, s. 2(b).
10 These words were added by Mah. 36 of 1965, s. 4(a).
11 These words were substituted for the words “hold such two meetings” by Mah. 38 of 1973, s. 2.
12 These words were substituted for the words “any one of such two meetings” by Mah. 21 of 2000, s. 2(c).
13 These words were substituted for the words “six meetings” by Mah. 16 of 2012, s. 2(1)(a).
14 These words were substituted for the words “of the panchayat” by Mah. 21 of 2000, s. 2(d).
15 This proviso was substituted for the original by Mah. 36 of 1965, s. 4(b).
1959 : III] The Maharashtra Village Panchayats Act 17
so required to do. The meeting shall, notwithstanding the provisions of sub -section ( 3), be presided
over by him or any officer authorised by the Block Development Officer, in that behalf :]
1[Provided further th at, a period of not more than 2[four months] shall be allowed to elapse
between the two meetings of the Gram Sabha :
Provided also that, if the Sarpanch or Upa-Sarpanch, as the case may be, fails to call any such
meeting within the specified period, the Secretary shall call the meeting and it shall be presumed that,
such meeting has been called with the concurrence of the Sarpanch or, as the case may be,
Upa-Sarpanch.]
(2) Any Officer authorised in this behalf by the 3[Standing Committee, Panchayat Samiti or Chief
Executive Officer] by general or special order shall have the right to speak in, and otherwise to take
part in, the proceedings of a meeting of the Gram Sabha, but shall not be entitled to vote.
4[* * * * *]
5[(3A) 6[* * * *] Unless otherwise provided in this Act, all meetings of the Gram Sabha after each
general election to a panchayat, shall be presided over by the Sarpanch and in his absence by the Upa-
Sarpanch; and in absence of both Sarpanch and Upa-Sarpanch, it shal be presided over by senior most
member of panchayat by age present in that meeting of the Gram Sabha . In case no member of
panchayat is present, the said meeting of the Gram Sabha shall be adjourned for a period of one week,
and such adjourned meeting shall be presided over by Sarpanch and in his absence by Upa-Sarpanch
and in absence of both the Sarpanch and Upa-Sarpanch by the senior most member of the panchayat
by age present in the meeting of Gram Sabha . In case no member of panchayat is present, such
meeting shall be presided over by an officer authorized by the Bolck Development Officer in that
behalf.]
(4) If any dispute arises as to whether a person is entitled to attend a meeting of a Gram Sabha,
such dispute shall be decided by the person presiding, regard being had to the entry in the list of voters
for a whole village or ward thereof, as the case may be, and his decision shall be final.
7[(5) The meeting of the women members of the Gram SabExcerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.