(1) Each ward in a municipality shall be divided into areas in such a manner that each such area shall, as far as possible, comprise of not less than five hundred and not more than one thousand people.
(2) All the electors of an area of a ward shall constitute the Area Sabha for such area and every Area Sabha shall elect an Area Sabha Representative from amongst themselves.
(3) The qualifications and disqualifications prescribed for being chosen as, and for being, a member of municipality under the provisions of this Act shall apply mutatis mutandis to the Area Sabha Representative.
(4) The term of the Area Sabha Representative shall ordinarily be coterminus with that of the municipality concerned.
(5) The Area Sabha may, having regard to its managerial, technical, financial and organisational capacity and the actual conditions obtaining in the ward area perform and discharge the following functions and duties, namely:––
(i) to formulate proposals and determine the priority of schemes and development programmes to be implemented in the area and forward the same to Ward Committee for inclusion in the development plan of the ward ;
(ii) to identify the eligible persons for beneficiary oriented schemes on the basis of criteria fixed by the Government and prepare the list of beneficiaries in order of priority and forward the same to Ward Committee for inclusion in the development plan of the ward ;
(iii) to verify the eligibility of persons getting various kinds of welfare assistance from Government such as pensions and subsidies ;
(iv) to identify the deficiencies in water supply, street lighting and sanitation arrangements in the jurisdiction of the Area Sabha and to suggest the remedial measures to the Ward Committee ;
(v) to suggest the location of street lights, public taps, public wells, public toilets or any other public facility to the Ward Committee ;
(vi) to assist in the activities of public health centers in the area ; and
(vii) to undertake and support tax mapping.
(6) The Area Sabha, shall be empowered to––
(i) obtain any information from the official concerned relating to the services and the works proposed to be provided or executed in the area by the Ward Committee ;
(ii) obtain information from the Ward Committee about every decision taken by them concerning the jurisdiction of the Area Sabha ;
(iii) obtain information from the Ward Committee relating to follow up action taken on the decisions concerning the area ;
(iv) impart awareness on matters of public interest such as cleanliness, preservation of the environment and prevention of pollution.
(7) The manner of conduct of business at the meetings of the Area Sabha shall be such as may be prescribed.
(8) The superintendence, direction and control for the preparation of the electoral rolls for, and the conduct of elections to, the seats of Area Sabha Representatives of the municipalities shall be vested in the Chief Electoral Officer.]