Gramasabha/Wardsabha
Gramasabha/Wardsabha
🏛️ Ward Sabha / Grama Sabha – Introduction
Grama Sabhas and Ward Sabhas are the most important foundations of the decentralized planning process of local self-government institutions in Kerala. Ward Sabhas serve as a crucial platform for planning the development activities of the Panchayat from the grassroots level, ensuring full public participation and approving various development projects.
According to the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, a Ward Sabha is formed by including the voters of each ward. The Grama Sabha is the collective body comprising all the Ward Sabhas of a Grama Panchayat.
👤 Member
A voter of a particular ward in a village is a member of the Grama Sabha of that ward. Similarly, a voter of a ward in a municipality is a member of the Ward Sabha of that ward. All voters in the ward have the right to actively participate in the Grama Sabha or Ward Sabha meetings and express their opinions.
📋 Convenor
Ward Members serve as the Convenors of Grama Sabhas, while Ward Councillors serve as the Convenors of Ward Sabhas.
Special Circumstance: If a Convenor is unable to perform their duties, the President or Chairperson of the respective Local Self-Government Institution may appoint a member from an adjacent ward to act as the Convenor of that ward.
🎤 Presiding Over the Meeting
The Grama Panchayat President shall preside over the Grama Sabha meeting, while the Municipal Chairperson shall preside over the Ward Sabha meeting.
In the absence of the President or Chairperson, the Vice President or Vice Chairperson shall preside over the meeting. If both are absent, the Convenor shall preside over the meeting.
📅 Convening the Meeting
The responsibility for convening Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha meetings rests entirely with the Ward Member, who also serves as the Convenor. The Convenor is responsible for ensuring that the meetings are convened regularly at the prescribed intervals.
🤝 Coordinator
An official designated by the Grama Panchayat/Municipality shall serve as the Coordinator of the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha. The Coordinator is responsible for assisting the Convenor in all activities and official matters related to the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha.
📅 Convening the Meeting
The responsibility for convening Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha meetings rests entirely with the Ward Member, who also serves as the Convenor. The Convenor is responsible for ensuring that the meetings are convened regularly at the prescribed intervals.
🤝 Coordinator
An official designated by the Grama Panchayat/Municipality shall serve as the Coordinator of the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha. The Coordinator is responsible for assisting the Convenor in all activities and official matters related to the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha.
⚙️ Major Duties and Powers of the Ward Sabha
1. Development Activities and Projects
- Discuss the development needs and problems of the ward and make recommendations to the Panchayat.
- Identify the focus areas and priorities for inclusion in the Panchayat’s annual development plans.
- Select beneficiaries and eligible persons for various schemes in a transparent manner.
2. Implementation and Monitoring
- Evaluate the progress and quality of implementation of various projects carried out in the ward.
- Conduct social audits of the development activities and expenditures undertaken by the Panchayat.
- Disseminate information about various welfare schemes implemented by the Panchayat among the people.
3. Local Services and Taxation
- Discuss local issues such as tax collection, availability of drinking water, public sanitation, and waste management.
- Organize activities for the protection of drinking water sources in the ward and the cleaning of canals, streams, and public places.
📢 Meetings and Notifications
Advance information regarding the date, time, and venue of Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha meetings is communicated to the public at the ward level through notices and digital media.