Gramasabha / Wardsabha
Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha
Information, Powers and Responsibilities
🌿 Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha
The Gram Sabha and Ward Sabha are important platforms for ensuring people's participation in the democratic system of local self-government. They provide citizens with an opportunity to participate directly in development activities, public facilities, planning processes and welfare programmes in their respective areas.
📌 General Information and Constitutional Structure
🏘️ Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha
The Gram Sabha consists of all persons whose names are included in the electoral roll relating to a village within the area of a Grama Panchayat. The Ward Sabha consists of voters of the respective ward.
👤 Member
A voter of a particular ward in a Grama Panchayat is a member of the Gram Sabha of that ward. Similarly, a voter of a ward in a Municipality is a member of the respective Ward Sabha.
📢 Convenor
Ward Members are the Convenors of Gram Sabhas, while Ward Councillors are the Convenors of Ward Sabhas. If the Convenor is unable to perform the duties, the Chairperson of the Local Self-Government Institution may appoint the member of the adjoining ward as Convenor.
🪑 Chairperson
The President of the Grama Panchayat shall preside over the Gram Sabha, while the Municipal Chairperson shall preside over the Ward Sabha. In their absence, the Vice-President, Deputy Chairperson or a person authorised for the purpose / Convenor may preside over the meeting.
⚖️ Quorum and Special Meeting
The quorum is 10% of the total number of voters (50 persons when the meeting is adjourned and reconvened). If 10% of the voters submit a written request, a special meeting shall be convened within 15 days. Questions and suggestions may be submitted in writing, and resolutions may be passed by majority.
🧑💼 Coordinator
An officer designated by the Grama Panchayat / Municipality shall function as the Coordinator of the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha. The Coordinator shall assist the Convenor in all activities connected with the Gram Sabha or Ward Sabha.
⚙️ Powers and Responsibilities
📋 Planning and Implementation of Projects
- Assist in collecting the details required for formulating development projects.
- Prepare proposals for projects and development programmes and determine priorities. Draft projects should be printed and distributed.
- Mobilise voluntary service, financial assistance and other support required for effective implementation of projects.
💧 Public Facility Projects
- Suggest locations where street lights should be installed.
- Determine the locations of public water supply taps and public wells.
- Suggest locations for public sanitation facilities, irrigation facilities and other public utility projects.
🛠️ Public Works and Maintenance
- Obtain information regarding the estimates and expenditure details of completed or proposed works. The details should be distributed.
- Monitor and assist beneficiary committees undertaking development programmes.
- Collect details of detailed estimates relating to works proposed to be implemented in the area.
💡 Citizen Participation
The Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha is an important democratic platform through which the views and suggestions of citizens can be directly communicated to the local self-government system. Active participation in matters related to local development helps strengthen people's participation in local governance.
Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha Information
