Question

What is the relation between panch and patla? When can a patla be removed?

Answer 1

Answer:

What is the relation between panch and patla?

The village headmen derive their authority from the village ‘panch’ or the council of adult male householders. This council has the last word in matters concerning the village as a whole and the headman is no more than its chairman. The village panch in a sense represents the Gond society as a whole. Every village has a headman or ‘patla’ who is generally hereditary (an arrangement in which the son/ daughter gets the father/ mother’s title or property automatically after their death is called ‘heriditary’). He is responsible to the Panch but in many cases he can be an effective leader. While the panch only meet once in a while the headman functions on a daily basis. He is usually from the family of the person who would have led the formation of the village in the beginning. The main function of the patla is to ensure the unity of the villagers and to negotiate with the outsides and government agencies.

When can a patla be removed?

Whenever patla becomes arrogant and goes against the wishes of the people panch may remove him.