Ward Committee / Gram Sabha
Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha
A Gram Sabha shall consist of all persons whose names are included in the electoral roll relating to a village comprised within the territorial area of a Grama Panchayat.
Member of the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha
A voter of a particular ward in a village shall be a member of the Gram Sabha of that ward. Similarly, a voter of a ward in a Municipality shall be a member of the Ward Sabha of that ward.
Convenor of the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha
The Ward Member shall be the Convenor of the Gram Sabha, and the Ward Councillor shall be the Convenor of the Ward Sabha. However, if a Convenor is unable to discharge his/her duties, the Chairperson of the Local Self-Government Institution may appoint a member from the adjoining ward as the Convenor of that ward.
Chairperson
The President of the Grama Panchayat shall preside over the Gram Sabha meeting, and the Municipal Chairperson shall preside over the Ward Sabha meeting.
In Grama Panchayats, in the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside over the meeting. In the absence of both the President and Vice-President, the Convenor shall preside over the meeting.
Similarly, in Municipalities, in the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson shall preside over the meeting. Alternatively, a Standing Committee Chairperson nominated by the Chairperson may preside. In the absence of all of them, the Convenor shall preside over the meeting.
Convening of Meetings
The responsibility for convening the meetings rests with the Ward Member, who is also the Convenor.
Quorum
The quorum of a Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha shall be 10 percent of the total number of voters. However, when a meeting is adjourned due to the lack of quorum and is subsequently reconvened, the quorum for such a meeting shall be 50 persons.
Right of Voters to Demand a Special Meeting
If not less than 10 percent of the voters of a ward submit a written request, the Convenor shall convene a special meeting of the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha within 15 days.
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 related to the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha.
Questions and Suggestions
Members shall have the right to submit, in writing, questions and suggestions to be considered at the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha, either before the meeting or during the meeting.
Resolutions
A resolution may be passed by a majority vote on any issue falling within the powers and jurisdiction of the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha at the respective meeting.
Powers and Responsibilities of the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha
A. Matters Relating to Planning and Implementation of Development Projects
- Assist in collecting the details required for formulating development projects.
- Prepare proposals and determine priorities for projects and development programmes to be implemented within the Grama Panchayat/Municipality area.
(Draft project proposals shall be printed and distributed at the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha, and the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha shall examine them and determine the order of priority.) - Provide assistance, facilities and voluntary services for the effective implementation of development projects, and provide or mobilise financial or material assistance.
B. Matters Relating to Public Utility Projects
- Make recommendations regarding the locations where street lights, public water-supply taps, public wells, public sanitation facilities, irrigation facilities and other public utility projects are to be established.
C. Matters Relating to Public Works
- Obtain details of the estimates of works implemented or proposed to be implemented within the area of the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha, including details of the cost of materials used.
(Such details shall be distributed at the Gram Sabha/Ward Sabha.) - Monitor and assist Beneficiary Committees undertaking development programmes.
- Collect details of detailed estimates relating to works proposed to be implemented in the area.