Gram Sabha

Gram Sabha is one of the most significant bodies in the Panchayati Raj System. The Indian Constitution defines Gram Sabha under the ambit of Article 243 (b). 

The Gram Sabha Concept

The local governance and Panchayati Raj system are centred around the concept of Gram Sabha. Gram Sabha can be defined as a platform at the local or rural level, or people can talk and discuss various aspects of local development and administration. 

The Panchayat implements various development programs with the supervision and the mandate of the Gram Sabha. Every decision taken at the Panchayat is through the Gram Sabha. Every decision is deemed valid or official only with the consent of the Gram Sabha.

Constitutionality of the Gram Sabha

Gram Sabha is originally defined under Article 243 (b) of the constitution. Gram Sabha is primarily the base and is also known as the “Sabha ” of people. The elected representatives from all other institutions in the Panchayati Raj system, such as the Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and Zilla Parishad.

Gram Sabha Composition

Gram Sabha is mainly constituted by the following people:

1. People of age more than 18 years

2. People residing in a village

3. People whose names appear in the electoral rolls of the Panchayat

Hierarchy of the Panchayati Raj System

As you now understand that the panchayat system works under the pivot of the Gram Sabha, it is imperative to understand its hierarchy. The Gram Sabha is primarily headed by the village-level Gram Panchayat which looks after the village-level responsibilities.

At the next stage is the Block or Janpad or Panchayat Samiti, which is situated at the block level. At the block level, we have a BDO officer who generally looks after a group of villages. Also, the uppermost tier is the Zilla Parishad at the district level.  

As per the hierarchy, all the block developmental offices are answerable to the Zilla Parishad or the body at the authority of the district level. The Zilla Parishad or the body at the district level makes a developmental plan at the district level with the Panchayat Samiti’s help. 

Organisation of Gram Sabha

• The Gram Sabha is organised by the Secretary of the Panchayat in agreement with that of the Sarpanch.
• If 10% of the Gram Sabha members or 50 Gram Sabha members, whatever is more significant in this case, can file a request to hold the meeting of Gram Sabha. If there is such a request, then the Gram Panchayat Sarpanch must call a meeting. Also, the members who are meeting must inform the Sarpanch regarding the aim of the meeting.
• Before the meeting is conducted, a formal meeting request to hold the same must be delivered in the hands of the Sarpanch within office hours five days before the meeting date.
• If, in any case, the Sarpanch fails or is unable to hold the Gram Sabha meeting, then the members might organise it themselves.
• According to the mandate of the Government, the Gram Sabha should conduct meetings a minimum of four times a year, i.e., on January 26th, May 1st, August 15th, and October 2nd.

Functions of Gram Sabha

• Art. 234 G of the Indian Constitution mentions that the Gram Sabha exercises the powers and performs such functions as the Legislature of a State by law may provide.

• The Gram Panchayat provides the report of activities undertaken by them from the last Gram Sabha. It presents the suggestions and resolutions of the last Gram Sabha and the action taken by the Panchayat on such resolutions.

• The functions of Gram Sabha also include discussion on various issues related to ration distribution, pension for old age, pension for handicapped according to the limits of Panchayat.

• It also discusses various problems related to the enrolment of children in school, attendance in schools, and the development of schools within the jurisdiction of the Gram Sabha.

• There is also discussion regarding various hospitals as well as veterinary institutions and their activities in a Gram Sabha. In addition, the Gram Sabha discuss and educate people about the different preventive measures that they should take to protect their health and hygiene and their cattle.

• The health officer in the primary health centre of the Panchayat will attend the Gram Sabha and accordingly brief the Gram Sabha about the various vaccination, inoculation programs, children suffering from malnutrition and precautionary steps that should be taken by the people of the village against diseases like that of dengue malaria etc. The Gram Sabha also discusses various services and facilities that the health centres provide.

• The Gram Panchayat Secretary would identify various public works that will be undertaken under the grants of the Panchayat. These are then placed before the Gram Sabha in order to get approval so as to incorporate them into the plans of the Panchayat.

• The Gram Sabha also has granted authority to initiate the procedure for determining the nature extent of the individual or the community forest rights under the specific provisions of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006.

Difference Between Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat

Gram Sabha is the assembly of the people in the village who are more than 18 years of age and have their names enrolled in the voter list of the Panchayat.

Gram Panchayat is the elected committee of the Gram Sabha, which consists of various representatives who are elected by the Sabha.

Conclusion

The Gram Sabha is the democratic institution at the grass-root level in each village panchayat. It is very important that the Gram Sabha functions effectively, so as to ensure transparency accountability in public participation. Moreover, the effective functioning of the Gram Sabha also ensures the effective participation of people regarding various important public welfare decisions.