The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department is responsible for the implementation of various Centrally-sponsored, State-funded and Externally-aided schemes for poverty alleviation, employment generation, sanitation, capacity building, women’s social and economic empowerment, apart from provision of basic amenities and services. The Department is also entrusted with the responsibility of enabling the various Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) to function as effective units of Local Self-Government. There are 12,525 Village Panchayats, 388 Panchayat Unions (co-terminus with Blocks) and 36 District Panchayats under the purview of the Department and Mayiladuthurai has been created newly.