(1) The Panchayats at district, intermediate and village levels shall be the principal authorities for planning and implementation of the Schemes made under this Act.
     (2) The functions of the Panchayats at the district level shall be--
         (a) to finalise and approve blockwise shelf of projects to be taken up under a programme under the Scheme;    
     (b) to supervise and monitor the projects taken up at the Block level and district level; and
         (c) to carry out such other functions as may be assigned to it by the State Council, from time to time.
     (3) The functions of the Panchayat at intermediate level shall be--
         (a) to approve the Block level Plan for forwarding it to the district Panchayat at the district level for final approval;
         (b) to supervise and monitor the projects taken up at the Gram Panchayat and Block level; and
         (c) to carry out such other functions as may be assigned to it by the State Council, from time to time.
     (4) The District Programme Coordinator shall assist the Panchayat at the district level in discharging its functions under this Act and any Scheme made thereunder.