A Gram Panchayat's elected representatives are linked to territorial wards; the Sarpanch is its elected head under the AP Act. Section 14 of the AP Panchayat Raj Act provides that the Sarpanch is elected by people whose names appear in the gram panchayat electoral roll, from among themselves, in the prescribed manner. It also states a minimum age of 21 for Sarpanch candidature. This direct-election rule is a useful AP-specific contrast with offices chosen through elected members at other tiers.

The Sarpanch presides and represents the village institution, but the panchayat acts within the law, its budget, resolutions and administrative controls. A contractor's bill, a works measurement and a service complaint are not transformed into private Sarpanch decisions. The Upa-Sarpanch and elected ward members have separate roles under the Act. When a question asks who may spend, sign, inspect or sanction, identify the exact provision or delegation rather than assume the elected head personally performs every step.

Worked example: A Sarpanch is directly elected by the eligible village electorate under the AP Act. An option saying the Tahsildar appoints the Sarpanch is therefore wrong. An elected head can represent the village and preside over its institution, yet expenditure still follows resolutions, delegation and financial rules. Separate the method of selection from the power to approve a work or sign a specific document.

Active recall: Who elects the AP Sarpanch? What is the minimum age stated in Section 14? Why should a Sarpanch not be confused with a tahsildar?