In line with their objectives of promoting local economic development and social justice, local government bodies have the power to: - Prepare development plans for the areas they serve. - Implement a wide range of schemes relating to 29 core areas for rural local governments, and 18 for urban local bodies. These include (but are not limited to) health, education, poverty alleviation, housing, and the promotion of small-scale industries, among others. However, since individual state governments (rather than the centre) are responsible for the functioning of their respective local governments, the actual powers and functions of these institutions are highly dependent on the laws of the state in which they operate. People need to have a say in decisions that affect their lives. | Photo courtesy: Gates Archive/Mansi Midha PRIs play a crucial role in rural development and perform the following roles: - Administrative activities such as the maintenance of village records, the construction, maintenance, and repair of roads, tanks, wells, and so on. - Improving socio-economic welfare through the promotion of rural industries, health, education, women and child welfare, among others. - Judicial functions such as trying petty civil and criminal cases such as minor thefts and money disputes are also performed either by separate adalati or nyaya panchayats, or by gram panchayats. The functions of urban local bodies can be classified as: Obligatory functions: Those which they have to perform, including the maintenance of public health and sanitation, providing public utilities such as water and electricity, and education. Discretionary functions: Which depend on the availability of funds, and include transportation, and the creation and maintenance of public spaces, among others.