Gramasabha
Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha
The Gram Sabha of a village is deemed to consist of all the persons whose names have been entered in the electoral roll of a village falling within the territory of a gram panchayat.
Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha Member
A voter of a ward in a village is a member of the Gram Sabha of that ward. Similarly, a voter of a ward in a municipality is a member of that ward assembly.
Convener of Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha
Ward Members/Village Sabhas and Ward Councilors are convenors of Ward Sabhas. But if a convener is unable to perform his duties, the chairman of the local government may appoint a member of an adjacent ward as the convener of that ward.
Chairman
The Gram Sabha meeting shall be presided over by the Gram Panchayat President/Ward Sabha meeting by the Municipal Chairperson. In gram panchayats the vice president in the absence of the president or the convener in the absence of both should preside. Similarly in municipalities the Deputy Chairperson in the absence of the Chairperson or the Chairman of the Standing Committee nominated by the Chairperson or the Convener in their absence will preside.
Calling a meeting
The responsibility of convening meetings rests with the ward member who is also the convener.
quorum
The quorum of the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha is 10 percent of the total electorate. But when the quorum is adjourned and reconvened, the quorum of such meeting shall be 50.
Right of voters to call special meeting
A special meeting of the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha shall be convened by the convener within 15 days if not less than 10 per cent of the voters in a ward so request in writing.
Coordinator
An officer to be decided by the Gram Panchayat/Municipality shall act as the co-ordinator of the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha. The Coordinator shall assist the Convener in all activities related to the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha.
Questions and suggestions
Members have the right to submit questions and suggestions to be considered in the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha in writing before or during the meeting.
Resolutions
A resolution can be passed on the basis of majority in the respective meeting on any issue under the jurisdiction of Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha.
Powers and Duties of Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha
A. Relating to project planning and execution
Assist in gathering the necessary details for formulating development plans.
Prepare and prioritize the projects and development programs to be implemented in the Gram Panchayat / Municipality area. (Draft project proposals should be printed and distributed to the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha and the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha should scrutinize and prioritize them.)
Provide assistance, provide facilities, volunteer, provide financial or in-kind assistance and mobilize for effective implementation of development projects.
B. Relating to public utility projects
Suggest where street lights, public water taps, public wells, public sanitation facilities, irrigation facilities and other public facilities should be located.
C. Relating to Repair Works
Know the estimate of works executed or proposed to be executed in Gram Sabha/Ward Gram Sabha area, details of cost of materials etc. (Details to be circulated to Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha.)
Monitor and assist Beneficiary Committees undertaking development programmes.
Collect detailed estimates of works to be carried out in the area.
