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Ward Committee/Gram Sabha

🗳️ Local Democracy: Grama Sabhas & Ward Sabhas

Decentralization of Power & Public Participation

🏡 Grama Sabha

This is the most crucial mechanism in a democratic system of governance through which ordinary citizens can directly participate in local administration.

Members:All registered voters in the respective ward.
Convener:The concerned Ward Member.
Meetings:At least 4 times a year.
Quorum:10% of the total members.

🏢 Municipality / Corporation

Ward Sabha

Constituted in Municipalities with a population of less than one lakh. Similar responsibilities to Grama Sabha. Convener: Ward Councilor.

Ward Committee

Formed in urban wards with a population exceeding one lakh. The Ward Councilor acts as the Chairperson. Includes representatives from neighborhood groups (NHGs), political parties, and NGOs.

📜 Powers, Rights, and Duties of the Sabha

🏗️ I. Project Planning and Execution
  • Data Collection: Assist in gathering essential local data needed to formulate development plans.
  • Proposals & Prioritization: Prepare development proposals and fix priority orders for programs within the area.
  • 💡 Note: Draft project proposals must be printed and distributed within the Sabha for review before finalizing the priority order.
  • Resource Mobilization: Mobilize voluntary services, financial, or in-kind assistance, and ensure the efficiency of local welfare programs.
💡 II. Public Utility Projects
• The Sabha holds the complete right to suggest locations for street lights, public water taps, wells, sanitation units, irrigation facilities, and other public amenities.
🛠️ III. Monitoring Construction Works
• Citizens have the right to know estimates and material costs (details must be distributed in meetings) of ongoing or proposed local works.
• Supervise and assist Beneficiary Committees executing local development works.
🎯 IV. Beneficiary Screening and Selection
  • Eligibility Verification: Scrutinize the eligibility of individuals receiving welfare schemes like pensions and subsidies.
  • Priority List Formulation: The draft priority list must be presented to the Sabha. Open screening is conducted with the participation of applicants to finalize the list.
  • ⚠️ Absolute Clause: The Local Government Body is strictly prohibited from altering the priority order approved by the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha.
  • Universal Scope: The Sabha selects beneficiaries not only for Panchayat schemes but also for projects implemented by Block/District Panchayats or other state departments. Lists of BPL or pension beneficiaries must be transparently distributed.
💼 V. Role of Government Officials: Officials under the control of the local body are mandatorily required to attend meetings upon request from the President/Chairperson. Additionally, a designated official will serve as the official Coordinator of the Sabha.