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Synopsis To achieve the ideals of growth and development coupled with social justice, rural community structure is viewed as an effective instrument of change and development. At the same time, articulation and transmission of demands supplemented by support structure, provides constant information to the decision makers at the appropriate level, which help in maintenance of order in the society. This also accelerates the goals of promoting welfare. Role of local leadership in formulation and implementing of plans/ schemes certainly conditioned by the socio-economic status in the given society and here lies the importance of not only the efficient and well-meaning administration but also of decentralized local leadership. In the present study, panchayati raj leadership has been judged and evaluated on the set parameters of role behaviour and interpersonal relationship which is basically shaped and determined in the background of socio-political status of the actors. In the framework mentioned, the present study highlights, three major factors, i.e. local power structure, structural norms and role performance in local political process influencing institutional structure and determining the tone and temper of functioning of rural local government. This study is of special significance so far as identification of expectations of the people and effectiveness of leadership in motivating the people to participate in the rural development programmes, are concerned. It is expected that the volume in hand may help the planners, practitioners and academics especially interested in the contures and functioning of democratic decentralized institutions.