Gramasabha/Ward Sabha
Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha All persons included in the voter list relating to a village within the area of a Grama Panchayat shall be deemed to constitute the Grama Sabha of that village.
Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha Member A voter in a ward of a village is a member of the Grama Sabha of that ward. Similarly, a voter in a ward of a municipality is a member of that Ward Sabha.
Convenor of Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha Ward Members are the convenors of Grama Sabhas, and Ward Councillors are the convenors of Ward Sabhas. However, if a convenor is unable to perform their duties, the head of the Local Self-Government Institution may appoint a member from an adjacent ward as the convenor for that ward.
President / Chairperson The Grama Panchayat President shall preside over Grama Sabha meetings, and the Municipal Chairperson shall preside over Ward Sabha meetings. In the absence of the President in Grama Panchayats, the Vice President shall preside; in the absence of both, the Convenor shall preside. Similarly, in Municipalities, in the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson shall preside, or a Standing Committee Chairman designated by the Chairperson, or in their absence, the Convenor shall preside.
Convening Meetings The responsibility to convene meetings is vested in the Ward Member, who also acts as the convenor.
Quorum The quorum for a Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha meeting shall be 10 percent of the total voters. However, when a meeting is adjourned due to a lack of quorum and reconvened, the quorum for such a meeting shall be 50.
Voters' Right to Demand a Special Meeting If not less than 10 percent of the voters in a ward request in writing, the convenor must convene a special meeting of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha within 15 days.
Coordinator An officer designated 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 questions and suggestions to be considered in the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha in writing, either before or during the meeting.
Resolutions Resolutions on any issue falling within the scope of authority of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha may be passed in the respective meeting based on a majority decision.
Powers and Functions of Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha
A. Related to Plan Formulation and Implementation
- Assist in collecting the necessary details required to formulate development plans.
- Prepare proposals and determine priority orders for schemes and development programs to be implemented in the Grama Panchayat / Municipality area. (Draft project proposals must be printed and distributed in the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha, which will then examine them and fix the priority list.)
- Provide assistance, arrange facilities, offer voluntary service, and contribute or mobilize funds or materials for the effective implementation of development schemes.
B. Related to Public Amenity Schemes
- Suggest locations where street lights, public water supply taps, public wells, public sanitation units, irrigation facilities, and other public amenity projects should be established.
C. Related to Public Works
- Obtain details such as estimates and material costs for works that have been implemented or are proposed to be implemented within the area of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha (these details must be distributed during the meeting).
- Monitor and assist the Beneficiary Committees executing development programs.
- Collect detailed estimate information regarding the works proposed to be undertaken in the area.