Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha
The Gram Sabha, also known as the Ward Sabha, is the most fundamental democratic forum for ensuring public participation in the governance of Asamannoor Grama Panchayat. Through Ward Sabhas, whose members are all the voters in each ward of the Panchayat, local development plans are formulated and eligible beneficiaries are selected for various government welfare schemes. Ward Sabhas perform important functions such as reviewing the progress of development works, examining income and expenditure, and bringing local issues to the attention of elected representatives and officials. In short, these Gram Sabhas, where people make decisions directly, lay the foundation for transparent and efficient development in Asamannoor Grama Panchayat. The Gram Sabha of a village is understood to consist of all persons whose names are included in the electoral roll relating to that village within the territorial area of a Grama Panchayat.
A voter in a ward of a village is a member of that ward’s Gram Sabha. Similarly, a voter in a municipal ward is a member of that Ward Sabha.
Ward members serve as convenors of Gram Sabhas, while ward councillors serve as convenors of Ward Sabhas. If a convenor is unable to perform their duties, the head of the local self-government institution may appoint a member from a neighbouring ward as the convenor for that ward.
The Grama Panchayat President presides over a Gram Sabha meeting, while the Municipal Chairperson presides over a Ward Sabha meeting. In a Grama Panchayat, if the President is absent, the Vice-President presides; if both are absent, the convenor presides. Similarly, in a municipality, if the Chairperson is absent, the Deputy Chairperson or a Standing Committee Chairperson nominated by the Chairperson presides; if they are absent, the convenor presides.
The responsibility for convening meetings rests with the ward member, who also serves as the convenor.
The quorum for a Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha is 10 percent of the total number of voters. However, when a meeting adjourned for lack of quorum is reconvened, the quorum for that meeting is 50.
If at least 10 percent of the voters in a ward make a written request, the convenor must call a special meeting of the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha within 15 days.
An official designated by the Grama Panchayat / Municipality shall serve as the coordinator of the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha. The coordinator shall assist the convenor in all activities relating to the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha.
Members have the right to submit in writing any questions or suggestions to be considered at a Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha, either before the meeting or while it is in progress.
A resolution may be passed by majority vote at the relevant meeting on any matter within the jurisdiction of the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha.
- Assist in collecting the details required to formulate development plans.
- Prepare proposals for projects and development programmes to be implemented within the Grama Panchayat / Municipality and determine their priorities. (Draft project proposals should be printed and distributed at the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha; the Sabha should review them and set the order of priority.)
- Support the effective implementation of development plans by providing assistance and facilities, volunteering services, and contributing or mobilising money and materials.
- Recommend locations for streetlights, public water-supply taps, public wells, public sanitation facilities, irrigation facilities, and other public utility projects.
- Obtain estimates for works completed or proposed within the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha area, including details of material costs. (These details should be distributed at the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha.)
- Monitor and assist beneficiary committees undertaking development programmes.
- Collect details of detailed estimates for works proposed to be carried out in the area.