Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha
A voter belonging to a ward in a village is a member of the Grama Sabha of that ward. Likewise, a voter in a ward of a Municipality is a member of the Ward Sabha of that ward.
Ward Members are the conveners of Grama Sabhas and Ward Councillors are the conveners of Ward Sabhas. However, if a convener is unable to perform his or her duties, the Chairperson of the Local Self Government Institution may appoint a member from a neighbouring ward as the convener of that ward.
The President of the Grama Panchayat shall preside over the Grama Sabha meeting and the Municipal Chairperson shall preside over the Ward Sabha meeting. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall preside, and in the absence of both, the Convener shall preside. Similarly, in Municipalities, the Deputy Chairperson or the Standing Committee Chairperson nominated by the Chairperson shall preside in the Chairperson’s absence, and in their absence, the Convener shall preside.
The responsibility for convening meetings rests with the Ward Member who is also the Convener.
The quorum for a Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha shall be ten percent of the total voters. However, if a meeting is adjourned due to lack of quorum and reconvened, the quorum for such a meeting shall be fifty members.
If not less than ten percent of the voters of a ward submit a written request, the Convener shall convene a special meeting of the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha within fifteen days.
An officer decided by the Grama Panchayat/Municipality shall function as the Co-ordinator of the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha. The Co-ordinator shall assist the Convener in all matters relating to the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha.
Members have the right to submit questions and suggestions to be considered in the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha either before the meeting or during the meeting.
Any issue falling within the powers of the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha may be resolved at the meeting through a majority decision.
- Assist in collecting details required for formulating development projects.
- Prepare suggestions and determine priorities for projects and development programmes to be implemented within the Grama Panchayat / Municipality area.
- Provide assistance, facilities, voluntary service, financial or material support and mobilise resources for the effective implementation of development projects.
- Suggest locations for installing street lights, public water supply taps, public wells, sanitation facilities, irrigation facilities and other public utility projects.
- Obtain information regarding estimates, material costs and other details of works implemented or proposed within the area of the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha.
- Monitor and assist beneficiary committees undertaking development programmes.
- Collect information regarding detailed estimates of works proposed to be implemented in the area.