Explain the composition of a Zilla Parishad in Odisha.

In Odisha, a Zilla Parishad (also known as a district council) is a local government body that is responsible for the administration of a district. The Zilla Parishad is composed of elected members and ex-officio members.

Elected members:

The Zilla Parishad is composed of elected members who are elected by the voters of the district in general elections. These members represent the different constituencies within the district and are responsible for representing the interests of their constituents in the Zilla Parishad.

Ex-officio members:

The Zilla Parishad also includes ex-officio members who are officials from other local government bodies and organizations. These members include:

1. The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Zilla Parishad, who are elected by the members of the Zilla Parishad from among themselves.

2. The Collector, who is the chief executive officer of the district and is responsible for the overall administration of the district.

3. The Superintendent of Police, who is the head of the district police force and is responsible for maintaining law and order in the district.

4. The Chief Medical Officer, who is the head of the district's health department and is responsible for the health services in the district.

5. The Chief Engineer, who is the head of the district's public works department and is responsible for the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, and other public infrastructure in the district.

The Zilla Parishad is responsible for implementing various development programs and schemes in the district, as well as providing basic services such as education, health care, and clean drinking water to the people of the district. It works in close coordination with other local government bodies, such as the Panchayat Samiti (block council) and the Gram Panchayat (village council), to ensure that the needs of the people of the district are met effectively.