Ward Committee/Gramasabha

 

🏡 Grama Sabha

            The Grama Sabha is the grassroots and most vital body of the Indian democratic system. It serves as a forum that ensures the direct participation of citizens in the functioning of Grama Panchayats, which are the local self-government institutions. The Grama Sabha of a particular ward comprises all registered voters within that specific ward.

  • Convenor: The respective Grama Panchayat member (Ward Member) acts as the convenor of the Grama Sabha.

  • Meetings: The Grama Sabha must convene a meeting at least 4 times a year.

Image removed.  Functions:

  • Selection of Beneficiaries: Selecting beneficiaries for various welfare schemes.

  • Project Formulation: Formulating and planning the projects and development plans of the panchayat.

  • Review & Discussion: Discussing the budget, audit reports, and estimates of public works.

  • Accountability: Understanding the rationale behind the decisions taken by the panchayat.

Quorum:

  • The quorum (the minimum number of members required to legally conduct a meeting) is 10% of the total members of the ward.

🧍‍♀️ Powers, Rights, and Duties of Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha

 Image removed.  Formulating and Implementing Development Projects

  • Data Collection: Assisting in collecting the necessary details and data required for formulating development projects.

  • Proposals and Prioritization: Preparing project proposals and development programs to be implemented in the Grama Panchayat / Municipality area, and determining their priority.

    (Note: The draft project proposals must be printed and distributed in the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha, and the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha must review them to fix the order of priority.)

  • Providing Support: Providing assistance, mobilizing resources, arranging facilities, and contributing voluntary labor, cash, or materials for the effective implementation of development projects.

  • Ensuring Efficiency: Ensuring the efficiency and quality of the ongoing development, service, and welfare schemes.

Image removed.  Public Utility and Facility Projects

  • Location Identification: Proposing and identifying the exact locations where streetlights, public water taps, public wells, public sanitation units, irrigation facilities, and other public utility projects should be installed.

Image removed.  Public Works (Infrastructure & Construction)

  • Accessing Project Details: Knowing and reviewing the estimates, material cost breakdowns, and other details of works implemented or proposed to be implemented within the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha area.

    (Note: These detailed reports must be distributed during the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha meeting.)

  • Monitoring Committees: Monitoring and assisting the Beneficiary Committees (Gunabhokthru Samithis) tasked with executing development programs.

  • Gathering Estimate Information: Gathering and maintaining information regarding detailed estimates of upcoming or proposed works in the locality.

Image removed.  Verification and Selection of Beneficiaries

  • Verifying Eligibility: Reviewing and verifying the eligibility of individuals receiving various welfare assistances such as pensions and subsidies.

  • Preparation of Priority Lists:

    • Submitting the draft priority list of applicants to the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha after receiving applications and conducting necessary inquiries.

    • Conducting a transparent scrutiny of eligibility in the presence of the applicants.

    • Finalizing and submitting the official priority list to the Grama Panchayat / Municipality.

    (Note: The Local Self-Government Institution is strictly prohibited from altering the order of priority approved by the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha.)

  • Universal Selection Power: The Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha holds the sole authority to select beneficiaries in order of priority, not just for Grama Panchayat / Municipal projects, but also for schemes implemented by other tiers (Block / District Panchayats) and other government departments.

  • Information Distribution: Distributing the finalized lists of BPL (Below Poverty Line) families, Asraya scheme beneficiaries, and welfare pension recipients during the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha meeting.

  • Ensuring Fair Distribution: Ensuring that benefits reach the genuinely deserving individuals and preventing ineligible persons from receiving them.

  Image removed.  Role and Functions of Government Officials

  • Mandatory Participation: Officials under the control of the Grama Panchayat / Municipality must attend the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha meetings as directed by the President / Chairperson.

  • Designated Coordinator: An official appointed by the Local Self-Government Institution shall serve as the dedicated coordinator for the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha operations.