Grama /Ward Sabha Details
Sreemoolanagaram Grama Panchayat
📖 Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha
The Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha is a fundamental component of the local democratic governance system. It serves as an important platform for planning, implementing and reviewing development activities through the direct participation of the people. The following sections provide information about the membership, responsibilities, meeting procedures and powers of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha.
📌 Functions of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha
Important information from membership to decision-making
Membership
All persons whose names are included in the electoral roll relating to a village within the territorial area of a Grama Panchayat together constitute the Grama Sabha of that village.
Grama Sabha Members
Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha Member
A voter in a particular ward of a village is a member of the Grama Sabha of that ward. Similarly, a voter in a municipal ward is a member of that Ward Sabha.
Member
Convener
Ward Members act as Conveners of Grama Sabhas, while Ward Councillors act as Conveners of Ward Sabhas.
Responsibility
Presiding Authority
The Grama Panchayat President presides over Grama Sabha meetings, while the Municipal Chairperson presides over Ward Sabha meetings.
Leadership
Convening Meetings
The responsibility for convening Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha meetings rests with the Ward Member, who also serves as the Convener.
Meeting Procedures
Quorum
The quorum of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha is 10 percent of the total number of voters.
Meeting Requirement
Special Meeting
If at least 10 percent of the voters in a ward submit a written request, a special meeting must be convened within 15 days.
Voters' Right
Coordinator
An officer appointed by the Grama Panchayat shall function as the Coordinator of the Grama Sabha and assist the Convener.
Coordination
Questions and Suggestions
Members have the right to submit written questions and suggestions for consideration before or during the Grama Sabha meeting.
Members' Rights
Resolutions
Resolutions may be passed by a majority vote on matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha.
Decisions
📚 Detailed Information
Administrative responsibilities and procedures of the Grama Sabha
👥 1. Membership
All persons whose names are included in the electoral roll relating to a village within the territorial area of a Grama Panchayat together constitute the Grama Sabha of that village.
📋 2. Convener of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha
Ward Members are the Conveners of Grama Sabhas, and Ward Councillors are the Conveners of Ward Sabhas. However, if a Convener is unable to discharge their duties, the Chairperson of the local self-government institution may appoint a member from an adjacent ward as the Convener of that ward.
🏛️ 3. Presiding Authority
The Grama Panchayat President shall preside over Grama Sabha meetings, and the Municipal Chairperson shall preside over Ward Sabha meetings. In Grama Panchayats, in the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside. If both are absent, the Convener shall preside over the meeting. Similarly, in Municipalities, in the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or the Chairperson of a Standing Committee nominated by the Chairperson shall preside. In their absence, the Convener shall preside over the meeting.
📅 4. Convening Meetings
The responsibility for convening Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha meetings rests with the Ward Member, who also serves as the Convener.
📊 5. Quorum
The quorum of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha is 10 percent of the total number of voters. However, when a meeting is adjourned due to lack of quorum and reconvened, the quorum for such a meeting shall be 50.
📣 6. Voters' Right to Request a Special Meeting
If not less than 10 percent of the voters in a ward submit a written request, the Convener shall convene a special meeting of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha within 15 days.
🤝 7. Coordinator
An officer appointed by the Grama Panchayat / Municipality shall function as the Coordinator of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha. The Coordinator shall assist the Convener in all activities relating to the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha.
💬 8. Questions and Suggestions
Members have the right to submit written questions and suggestions for consideration at the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha meeting, either before the meeting or while the meeting is in progress.
📜 9. Resolutions
Resolutions may be passed by a majority vote at the respective meeting on any matter falling within the jurisdiction of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha.
⚖️ Powers and Responsibilities of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha
Important powers and responsibilities in different areas
Planning and Implementation of Development Projects
- Assist in collecting the information and details required for formulating development projects.
- Prepare proposals for projects and development programmes to be implemented within the Grama Panchayat / Municipality area and determine their priorities. Draft project proposals shall be printed and distributed at the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha. The members shall examine the proposals and determine their order of priority.
- Provide assistance for the effective implementation of development projects, make necessary facilities available, undertake voluntary services and contribute or mobilise money and materials.
Public Utility Projects
- Suggest suitable locations for installing streetlights, public water supply taps, public wells, public sanitation facilities, irrigation facilities and other public utility projects.
Public Works and Maintenance Activities
- Obtain details of estimates and material costs relating to works already implemented or proposed to be implemented within the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha area. These details shall be distributed at the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha meeting.
- Monitor and assist Beneficiary Committees undertaking development programmes.
- Collect detailed information regarding the estimates of works proposed to be implemented in the area.
