Grama Sabha

What is a Grama Sabha?

         The Grama Sabha is the cornerstone of democracy and decentralization of power. It is the only constitutional institution where the people get direct participation in governance. The Grama Sabha is an important instrument for realizing the concept of Grama Swaraj envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi.

The Grama Sabha provides an opportunity for the voters to interact directly with their elected representatives and to participate in planning development projects and selecting the beneficiaries of welfare schemes.

• The Gram Sabha is formed based on the constituency of the Grama Panchayat.
• All the voters of a constituency are members of the Grama Sabha.
• The Grama Sabha convener is the member of the concerned Grama Panchayat.
• The Grama Panchayat President is the chairman of the Grama Sabha.
• The Grama Sabha meeting is held at a place determined by the Grama Panchayat.
• Block Panchayat member, District Panchayat member and Legislative Assembly member can participate in the meeting.

• A special Gram Sabha meeting should be convened if more than 10 percent of the voters request it in writing.
• The voters get the opportunity to interact directly with the people's representatives.
• Development plans and expenditure details should be presented before the Gram Sabha in the first meeting.
• The Gram Sabha is responsible for selecting the beneficiaries of welfare schemes.

Development data collection

Assist in collecting and compiling information necessary for formulating the development plans of the panchayat.

Prioritize projects 

Formulate and prioritize development plans and programs.

Volunteering 

Provide necessary assistance and volunteer services for development activities.

Public facilities

Provide suggestions regarding street lights, public taps, wells, and sanitation systems.

Hygiene and environmental protection

Create awareness about cleanliness, environmental protection and pollution control.

Social harmony 

Organize artistic and sports programs to promote unity and harmony among the public.

Beneficiary Committees

Monitor and assist beneficiary committees carrying out development activities.

Welfare schemes

Find out who is eligible for welfare benefits like pension and subsidy.

Information campaign

To disseminate information to the public about development and welfare activities.

Awareness programs

Participate in and campaign for health, literacy, and development programs.

Basic information collection 

Collect basic social and economic information.

Progress assessment

Collect and submit documents regarding the progress of development activities.

Social responsibility

Promote tax payment, loan repayment, environmental cleanliness, and social cohesion.

Resource mobilization

Mobilize local resources to increase the revenue streams of the panchayat.

Supervision of development activities

Supervise development activities as volunteer groups.

Emergency response 

Establish a system for providing timely information in situations such as infectious diseases and natural disasters.