The Ex-officio secretary of Panchayat Samiti is

The correct answer is Block Development Officer.

Key Points

• The Block Development Officer (BDO) acts as the Ex-officio Secretary of the Panchayat Samiti.
• The Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate level of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system, established under the Indian Constitution's Article 243.
• The BDO oversees the implementation of developmental programs and ensures administrative efficiency within the block.
• As Ex-officio Secretary, the BDO facilitates coordination between the Panchayat Samiti and other government departments for effective governance.
• The BDO also assists in the preparation and execution of the block-level budget and development plans.

Additional Information

• Panchayati Raj System:
  • It is a decentralized form of government in India where each village is responsible for its own affairs, governed under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
  • The system consists of three tiers: Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (block level), and Zilla Parishad (district level).
• Role of Panchayat Samiti:
  • It is responsible for planning and executing development programs at the block level.
  • It acts as a link between the Gram Panchayat and the Zilla Parishad.
• Block Development Officer:
  • BDO is a government official responsible for development and administrative activities in a block.
  • They supervise the execution of various state and central government schemes at the block level.
• Nyay Sachiv:
  • The Nyay Sachiv (Secretary of Justice) is responsible for legal and judicial matters but does not hold administrative authority over the Panchayat Samiti.