Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha
Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha
Membership, responsibilities, meeting procedures and powers of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha
Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha
The Grama Sabha of a village consists of all persons whose names are included in the electoral roll of that village within the territorial jurisdiction of a Grama Panchayat.
Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha Member
A voter residing in a ward of a village is a member of the Grama Sabha of that ward. Similarly, a voter residing in a municipal ward is a member of that Ward Sabha.
Convenor of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha
Ward Members are the Convenors of Grama Sabhas, while Ward Councillors are the Convenors of Ward Sabhas. However, if a Convenor is unable to discharge their duties, the Chairperson of the Local Self-Government Institution may appoint a member from an adjacent ward as the Convenor of that ward.
Chairperson
The Grama Panchayat President shall preside over Grama Sabha meetings, while the Municipal Chairperson shall preside over Ward Sabha meetings. In Grama Panchayats, in the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside. If both are absent, the Convenor shall preside. Similarly, in Municipalities, in the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson shall preside. If both are absent, the Standing Committee Chairperson nominated by the Chairperson shall preside. In their absence, the Convenor shall preside.
Convening Meetings
The responsibility for convening meetings rests with the Ward Member, who also serves as the Convenor.
Quorum
The quorum for a Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha is 10% of the total number of voters. However, if a meeting is adjourned due to a lack of quorum and reconvened, the quorum for such a meeting shall be 50.
Voters' Right to Request a Special Meeting
If not less than 10% of the voters in a ward submit a written request, the Convenor shall convene a special meeting of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha within 15 days.
Coordinator
An officer appointed by the Grama Panchayat / Municipality shall function as the Coordinator of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha. The Coordinator shall assist the Convenor in all activities related to the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha.
Questions and Suggestions
Members have the right to submit written questions and suggestions for consideration at the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha, either before the meeting or during the meeting.
Resolutions
A resolution may be passed by a majority vote at the respective meeting on any issue falling within the powers and jurisdiction of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha.
Matters Related to Plan Formulation and Implementation
- Assist in collecting the details required for formulating development projects.
- Prepare proposals for projects and development programmes to be implemented within the Grama Panchayat / Municipality and determine their priorities. (Draft project proposals shall be printed and distributed at the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha meeting. The Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha shall examine the proposals and determine their order of priority.)
- Provide assistance and facilities for the effective implementation of development projects, including voluntary service and financial or material contributions, and help mobilise such resources.
Matters Related to Public Utility Projects
- Recommend locations for installing streetlights, public water supply taps, public wells, public sanitation facilities, irrigation facilities and other public utility projects.
Matters Related to Public Works
- Obtain details of the estimates and material costs of works implemented or proposed to be implemented within the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha area. (These details shall be distributed at the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha meeting.)
- Monitor and assist Beneficiary Committees undertaking development programmes.
- Collect details of the detailed estimates of works proposed to be undertaken in the area.