(1) All wards in a Gram Panchayat and all Gram Panchayats in a block shall for the purpose of this section be sequentially numbered in such manner, as may be prescribed:
Provided that for such sequential numbering, the wards or Gram Panchayats reserved for the Scheduled Castes shall be considered as one group and the remaining wards or Gram Panchayats as another group.
(2) The offices of panch in every Gram Panchayat shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes in such a way that the number of seats reserved for the Scheduled 1 Inserted by Haryana Act 26 of 2013.
2 Ommitted by Haryana Act No.10 of 1999.
3 Substituted by Haryana Act No. 31 of 2020 dated 07.12.2020.
Reservation and equal representation in Gram Panchayat Establishment and constitution of Gram Panchayat.
Castes shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of seats in that Gram Panchayat as the population of the Scheduled Castes to the total population in that Gram Sabha area and such seats shall be allotted to such wards having maximum percentage of population belonging to the Scheduled Castes.
(3) To ensure equal representation, a woman who is otherwise qualified to be elected, may contest from such ward of a Gram Panchayat that receives an even number in the sequential numbering arrived at for that group under sub-section (1) and a person other than woman, who is otherwise qualified to be elected, may contest from such ward of a Gram Panchayat that receives an odd number in the sequential numbering arrived at for that group under sub-section (1) in any general election and vice versa in the next general election:
Provided that if in any Gram Panchayat there is only one ward reserved for the Scheduled Castes, then a woman who is otherwise qualified to be elected and belonging to the Scheduled Castes shall be allowed to contest from such ward.
1[(4) The wards of panch shall be reserved for the Backward Classes (A) in every Gram Panchayat and the number of wards so reserved shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of wards in that Gram Panchayat as one-half of the percentage of population of Backward Classes (A) to the total population in that Gram Sabha area and rounded off to the next higher integer in case the decimal value is 0.5 or more and such wards shall be allotted by draw of lots among the wards other than that reserved for Scheduled Castes and also by rotation in the subsequent elections:
Provided that every Gram Panchayat shall have at least one panch belonging to the Backward Classes (A) if its population is two percent or more of the total population of the sabha area and such ward shall be allotted by draw of lots among the wards other than that reserved for Scheduled Castes and also by rotation in the subsequent elections:
Provided further that where the number of wards so reserved for Backward Classes (A) under this sub-section added to the number of wards reserved for the Scheduled Castes exceeds fifty percent of the total number of wards in that Gram Panchayat, then the number of wards reserved for the Backward Classes (A) shall be restricted to such largest number that shall lead to the total of the wards reserved for the Backward Classes (A) and Scheduled Castes not exceeding fifty percent of the total wards in that Gram Panchayat.
Explanation.- For the purposes of reservation of Backward Classes (A) under this subsection, the population of the Gram Sabha area and the population of Backward Classes (A) in said sabha area shall be such, as may be drawn from the Family Information Data Repository established under the provisions of the Haryana Parivar Pehchan Act, 2021 (20 of 2021), on such date, as may be notified by the Government.]
2[(4A) The offices of panch shall be reserved for the Backward Classes (B) in every Gram Panchayat and the number of wards so reserved shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of wards in that Gram Panchayat as one-half of the percentage of population of Backward Classes (B) to the total population in that Gram Sabha area and rounded off to the next higher integer in case the decimal value is
0.5 or more and such wards shall be allotted by draw of lots among the 1 Substituted by Haryana Ordinance No. 1 of 2022 dated 02.09.2022 and Act No.3 of 2023.
2 Inserted by Haryana Ordinance 4 of 2024 dated 16.08.2024 and Act No. 18 of 2024 dated 12.12.2024.
wards other than that reserved for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (A) and also by rotation in the subsequent elections: Provided that every Gram Panchayat shall have at least one panch belonging to the Backward Classes (B) if its population is two percent or more of the total population of the sabha area and such ward shall be allotted by draw of lots among the wards other than that reserved for Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (A) and also by rotation in the subsequent elections:
Provided further that where the number of wards so reserved for Backward Classes (B) under this sub-section added to the number of wards reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (A) exceeds fifty percent of the total number of wards in that Gram Panchayat, then the number of wards reserved for the Backward Classes (B) shall be restricted to such largest number that shall lead to the total of the wards reserved for the Backward Classes (A), Backward Classes (B) and Scheduled Castes not exceeding fifty percent of the total wards in that Gram Panchayat. Explanation.- For the purposes of reservation of Backward Classes (B) under this sub-section, the population of the Gram Sabha area and the population of Backward Classes (B) in said sabha area shall be such, as may be drawn from the Family Information Data Repository established under the provisions of the Haryana Parivar Pehchan Act, 2021 (20 of 2021), on such date, as may be notified by the Government.]
(5) The offices of Sarpanch of Gram Panchayats in a block shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the number of offices reserved shall bear the same proportion to the total number of offices of Sarpanches in the block, as the population of Scheduled Castes in the block bears to the total population of that block and such seats shall be rotated to different Gram Panchayats, firstly having the largest maximum percentage population of Scheduled Castes and secondly having the next largest maximum percentage population of Scheduled Castes and so on until the last eligible Gram Panchayat is reserved and thereafter the cycle shall start again:
Provided that the office of the Sarpanch shall be reserved for Scheduled Castes only if the population of Scheduled Castes in that Gram Panchayat is more than ten percent of the total population.
(6) To ensure equal representation, a woman who is otherwise qualified to be elected, may contest from such a Gram Panchayat that receives an even number in the sequential numbering arrived at for that group under sub-section (1) and a person other than woman, who is otherwise qualified to be elected, may contest from such a Gram Panchayat that receives an odd number in the sequential numbering arrived at for that group under sub-section (1) for the office of Sarpanch in any general elections and vice versa in the next general elections.
1[(7) Eight percent of the total number of offices of Sarpanch in a block and rounded off to the next higher integer in case the decimal value is 0.5 or more shall be reserved for Backward Classes (A) and shall be allotted by draw of lots among the highest three times the number of Gram Panchayats proposed for reservation for Backward Classes (A) which are having the largest percentage of population of Backward Classes (A) after excluding those Gram Panchayats where the post of Sarpanch is already reserved for Scheduled Castes under sub-section (5) and also by rotation in the subsequent elections:
1 Substituted by Haryana Ordinance No. 1 of 2022 dated 02.09.2022.
Provided that where the number of offices of Sarpanch in a block so reserved for Backward Classes (A) under this sub-section added to the number of offices of Sarpanch reserved for the Scheduled Castes in that block exceeds fifty percent of the total number of offices of Sarpanch in that block, then the number of offices of Sarpanch reserved for the Backward Classes (A) shall be restricted to such largest number that shall lead to the total of the offices of Sarpanch reserved for the Backward Classes (A) and Scheduled Castes not exceeding fifty percent of the total offices of Sarpanch in that block.
Explanation.- For the purposes of reservation of Backward Classes (A) under this subsection, the population of the block and the population of Backward Classes (A) in said block shall be such, as may be drawn from the Family Information Data Repository established under the provisions of the Haryana Parivar Pehchan Act, 2021 (20 of 2021), on such date, as may be notified by the Government.]
1[(7A) Five percent of the total number of offices of Sarpanch in a block and rounded off to the next higher integer in case the decimal value is 0.5 or more shall be reserved for Backward Classes (B) and shall be allotted by draw of lots among the highest three times the number of Gram Panchayats proposed for reservation for Backward Classes (B) which are having the largest percentage of population of Backward Classes (B) after excluding those Gram Panchayats where the post of Sarpanch is already reserved for Scheduled Castes under sub-section (5) and for Backward Classes (A) under sub-section (7) and also by rotation in the subsequent elections: Provided that where the number of offices of Sarpanch in a block so reserved for Backward Classes (B) under this sub-section added to the number of offices of Sarpanch reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes (A) in that block exceeds fifty percent of the total number of offices of Sarpanch in that block, then the number of offices of Sarpanch reserved for the Backward Classes (B) shall be restricted to such largest number that shall lead to the total of the offices of Sarpanch reserved for the Backward Classes (A), Backward Classes (B) and Scheduled Castes not exceeding fifty percent of the total offices of Sarpanch in that block. Explanation.- For the purposes of reservation of Backward Classes (B) under this sub-section, the population of the block and the population of Backward Classes (B) in said block shall be such, as may be drawn from the Family Information Data Repository established under the provisions of the Haryana Parivar Pehchan Act, 2021 (20 of 2021), on such date, as may be notified by the Government.]
(8) The number of wards shall be re-fixed after every decennial census in such manner, as may be prescribed.”.]
2[ 10. (1) The term of office of Sarpanch shall be five years unless removed otherwise.
(2) A Sarpanch may be removed from his office by an order of such authority, as may be prescribed consequent to a resolution passed, by not less than two-third 1 Inserted by Haryana Ordinance 4 of 2024 dated 16.08.2024 and Act No. 18 of 2024 dated 12.12.2024.
2 Substituted by Haryana Act No.10 of 1999 and further substituted by Haryana Act No. 31 of 2020 dated 07.12.2020.
Term of office.
voters of the members of the Gram Sabha present and voting cast through a secret ballot, on a date and time duration specified by such authority:
Provided that no such ballot shall be held unless a requisition in this behalf is made to the prescribed authority by not less than one-half of the total members of the Gram Sabha.
(3) On the requisition made under sub-section (2), the authority as specified in sub-section (2) shall after inquiring into the genuineness thereof, notify the date and time duration for the purpose of the secret ballot of the Gram Sabha within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of the requisition:
Provided that no such process shall be initiated within a period of one year from the date of election of the Sarpanch and any subsequent resolution for removal shall not be maintainable within the interval of one year of the last ballot of the Gram Sabha to consider a resolution for removal of the Sarpanch.”.]
11. 1[(1) Every Gram Sabha shall hold minimum three general meetings each year at such date, time and venue, as may be fixed by Block Development and Panchayat Officer concerned.]
(2) In the event of the Sarpanch failing to hold two consecutive general meetings of the Gram Sabha on the dates fixed 2[ * * * *] under sub-section (1), he shall automatically cease to hold office from the date on which the second meeting was to be held. The Block Development and Panchayat Officer shall immediately intimate the happening of such cessation to the Director who shall accordingly notify this fact to the Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti, Gram Panchayat and the Sarpanch.
(3) The Director may reinstate the Sarpanch on his showing sufficient cause for the default within a period of thirty days from the date of the notification of his cessation as Sarpanch.
(4) The Sarpanch may, at any time and where a requisition in writing of the Panchayat Samiti or of not less than 1[one tenth] of the total number of members of the Gram Sabha has been received by him, shall within thirty days from the receipt of such requisition, call an extra-ordinary general meeting of the Gram Sabha.
(5) If a general meeting as required by sub-section (1), or an extraordinary general meeting as required by sub-section (4), is not called, the Block Development and Panchayat Officer shall call such meeting.
(6) The meetings of the Gram Sabha shall be conducted and the time and palce of such meeting shall be published in such manner as may be prescribed.
(7) 3[For any extraordinary meeting of the Gram Sabha one-tenth of the total number of its members shall form a quorum.]
4[(7A) For any general meeting of the Gram Sabha, one-tenth of the members of Gram Sabha or three hundred members, whichever is less, shall form a quorum.]
(8) The Block Development and Panchayat Officer or the Gram Sachiv, as the case may be, of a Gram Panchayat shall attend every general meeting of the Gram Sabha ; and if for any reason beyond his control the Block Development and 1 Substituted by Haryana Act No.10 of 1999 and further substituted by Haryana Act 16 of 2000 and further substituted by Haryana Act 28 of 2006.
2 Omitted by Haryana Act No.10 of 1999.
3 Substituted by Haryana Act 10 of 1999.
4 Inserted by Haryana Act 11 of 2020.
Meeting and Quorum of Gram Sabha .
Panchayat Officer is unable to attend any meeting, the Social Education and Panchayat Officer or such Block Extension Officer as may be deputed by the Block Development and Panchayat Officer shall attend the meeting. The Gram Panchayat may call every village level functionary serving in the sabha area to attend such a meeting and tender advice in respect of any matter coming up before it. 1[In case such functionary does not attend the meeting, without reasonable cause the Gram Sachiv shall report his absence to the Government.]
2[(9) Save in the circumstances beyond human control, every Panch shall attend the Gram Sabha meetings.]
12. The Gram Sabha shall exercise and perform the following powers and functions :--
(i) it shall consider the budget prepared by the Gram Panchayat and the future development programmes and the plans for the sabha area at its Sawani meeting. The Gram Sabha at its Hari meeting shall review the general progress of the development plans ;
(ii) it will consider the actual income and expenditure of the Panchayat concerning last financial year ;
(iii) it will consider and scrutinise the existing schemes and all kinds of activities of Panchayat ;
(iv) it shall maintain a complete register for all development works undertaken by Gram Panchayat or by and other Government department specifying the costs, date of completion of work name of assets etc. ;
(v) it will scrutinise the completed works and all kinds of activities of the Gram Panchayat ;
(vi) it can ask questions to the Sarpanch and Panches of the Gram Panchayat to clarify the particular activity, income expenditure scheme and other matters and Sarpanch and Panch of the Gram Panchayat shall be responsible to it ;
(vii) it shall locate the places of schemes and other works ;
(viii) it shall consider audit reports and thier compliances ;
(ix) it shall consider the progress report of every kind of Gram Panchayat works ; and
(x) it shall exercise and perform such other powers and functions as may be prescribed.
CHAPTER IV GRAM PANCHAYATS, CONDUCT OF BUSINESS, DUTIES, FUNCTIONS AND POWERS
13. 3[(1) The meeting of a Gram Panchayat shall be public and shall be held atleast twice a month at a public place within the sabha area for which it is established, whenever called by the Sarpanch or during the vacancy of his office by Gram Sachiv :
Provided that the Sarpanch, when required in writing by majority of the Panches to call a meeting, shall do so within three days, failing which Panches shall, 1 Added by Haryana Act 11 of 2020.
2 Added by Haryana Act 10 of 1999.
3 Substituted by Haryana Act 10 of 1999.
Powers and functions of Gram Sabha.
Meeting of Gram Panchayat and quorum.
with the previous approval of the prescribed authority, be entitled to call a meeting after giving a week's notice to the Sarpanch and other Panches. Save as otherwise provided by or under this Act, at every meeting of Gram Panchayat , the Sarpanch shall preside over the meeting or in his absence the members present shall choose one from amongst themselves to preside over the meeting].
(2) Majority of Panches including Sarpanch, for the time being holding office shall form a quorum. If at the time appointed for the meeting, there is no quorum, the presiding authority shall wait for one hour and if within such period there is no quorum, the presiding authority shall adjourn the meeting to such time on the following day or such future day as he may decide. The business which could have been brought before the original meeting if there has been a quorum, shall be brought before, and transacted at the adjourned meeting.
1[ (* * * * *) ]
(3) The decisions of Gram Panchayat shall be by majority and when the voting is equal, the presiding authority shall have an additional or casting vote.
2[14. There shall be a Gram Sachiv for every Gram Panchayat or group of Gram Panchayats who shall be appointed by Government.