Gramasabha / Ward Sabha Information

Local Self Government Institutions - Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha

Guidelines, Functions, and Responsibilities

Organization and Office Bearers

👥 Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha Member

All persons included in the electoral roll relating to a village within the area of a Grama Panchayat constitute the Grama Sabha of that village. Every voter in a ward of a Grama Panchayat is a member of that Grama Sabha. Similarly, a voter in a ward of a Municipality is a member of that Ward Sabha.

📣 Convenor & Coordinator

Convenor: Ward Members / Ward Councilors are the Convenors of their respective Grama Sabhas and Ward Sabhas. If the Convenor is unable to perform their duties, the Head of the Local Self Government Institution may appoint the member from the adjacent ward as the Convenor. The responsibility of convening meetings rests with the Convenor.

Coordinator: An officer designated by the Local Self Government Institution will function as the Coordinator. The main duty of the Coordinator is to assist the Convenor in Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha activities.

🏛️ Presiding Officer

Grama Panchayat: The Grama Panchayat President presides over the Grama Sabha meeting. In the absence of the President, the Vice President, and in the absence of both, the Convenor shall preside.

Municipality: The Municipal Chairperson presides over the Ward Sabha meeting. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson, or a designated Standing Committee Chairperson, or in their absence, the Convenor shall preside.

Meetings and Procedures

📊 Quorum & Special Meetings

  • Quorum: Shall be 10% of the total voters. However, for an adjourned meeting re-convened due to lack of quorum, the quorum shall be 50 members.
  • Special Meeting: If requested in writing by not less than 10% of voters in the ward, the Convenor must call a special meeting within 15 days.

✍️ Questions, Suggestions & Resolutions

Rights: Members have the right to submit questions and suggestions in writing before or during the meeting for consideration.

Resolutions: Resolutions on any issue falling within the jurisdiction of the Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha can be passed in the meeting by a simple majority.

Powers and Responsibilities

A. Project Planning and Implementation

  1. Assist in collecting necessary details for formulating development projects.
  2. Prepare proposals and determine priority for projects to be implemented (priority order must be finalized after printing and distributing draft projects).
  3. Provide assistance, facilities, voluntary service, and mobilization of resources for the effective implementation of projects.

B. Public Amenity Schemes

Suggest locations for installing public amenities such as streetlights, public water taps, public wells, public sanitation facilities, and irrigation facilities.

C. Public Works

  1. Know the estimates and cost of materials for works implemented or proposed to be implemented (information should be distributed).
  2. Monitor and assist beneficiary committees undertaking development activities.
  3. Gather detailed estimate information regarding works proposed to be undertaken in the locality.