(1) There shall come into existence a Gram Sabha for GramSabha.
every village on the date of its formation under section 3.
(2) A Gram Sabha shall consist of all persons whose names are included in the electoral roll for the Gram Panchayat referred to in section 4 and such persons shall be deemed to be the members of the Gram Sabha.
(3) (a) Gram Sabha shall meet once in two months on such day and at such place and at such time as fixed by the 14 [Act No.5 of 2018] Gram Panchayat, and in any case within a period of 10 days from such date;
(b) the Sarpanch or in his absence the Upa-Sarpanch shall convene such meetings of the Gram Sabha; and
(c) the Sarpanch or as the case may be the Upa- Sarpanch as the convenor of meetings of the Gram Sabha shall, invite the members of the Mandal Praja Parishad, the Zilla Praja Parishad and the State Legislature representing the area of the Gram Panchayat to such meetings.
(4) Every meeting of the Gram Sabha shall be presided over by the Sarpanch or in his absence the Upa-Sarpanch or in the absence of both of them by one of the members of the Gram Panchayat as decided by them.
(5) The Gram Panchayat shall place before the Gram Sabha a report on the developmental programmes relating to the Gram Panchayat during the previous period and those that are proposed to be undertaken during the current period, and the expenditure therefor, the annual statement of accounts, audit report and the administration report of the preceding year. If in any circumstances, any decision of the Gram Sabha could not be implemented, the Sarpanch shall report the reasons therefor, before the Gram Sabha.
(6) While conducting six Gram Sabhas in a year at least two Gram Sabhas shall be conducted with a focus on women, senior citizens and disadvantaged sections.
(7) The Panchayat Secretary shall with the approval of the Gram Panchayat prepare and display the Agenda for the Gram Sabha, in the manner prescribed and communicate agenda to the members with the subjects as mentioned in sub-section (8).
[Act No.5 of 2018] 15
(8) The following subjects may be reviewed by the Gram Sabha:-
(a) Sanitation: Solid and liquid waste management, safe disposal of garbage by converting it into compost;
promotion of open defecation free village.
(b) Maintenance of Street lights: Conservation of Energy;
(c) Plantation and maintenance of trees under different schemes in Gram Panchayat;
(d) Create Awareness on Family Welfare, Education, Public Health, abolition of child labour, bonded labour, social evils etc;
(e) Maintenance of internal roads, culverts and drains;
(f) Maintenance of Community Assets - Common sites, Public places, buildings, community halls, parks etc;
(g) Promoting Cultural activities - Fairs and festivals, Sports and Games;
(h) The collection and compilation of details required to formulate development plans of the Panchayat;
(i) Formulation of proposals and fixing of priority of schemes and development programmes to be implemented in the Gram Panchayat;
(j) Preparation of final list of eligible beneficiaries in the order of priority relating to all the beneficiary-oriented schemes on the basis of the criteria fixed;
16 [Act No.5 of 2018]
(k) Rendering assistance to implement effectively the development schemes by providing facilities locally required;
(l) Mobilizing voluntary service, Shramadanam and contribution in cash or in kind for the development plans;
(m) Locating street lights, public taps, public wells, public sanitation units, such other public utility schemes;
(n) Formulation of schemes to impart awareness on matters of public interest like cleanliness, environmental protection, pollution control and to create awareness on health and hygiene;
(o) Promoting communal harmony, unity and goodwill among the people within the Gram Panchayat;
(p) Monitoring and rendering assistance to the beneficiaries engaged in the developmental activities within the area of the Gram Panchayat;
(q) Verifying the persons getting various kinds of welfare assistance from the Government such as pensions etc;
(r) Collection of information regarding the detailed estimates of works proposed to be implemented in the Gram Panchayat;
(s) Follow up action taken on the decisions of the Gram Sabha and the detailed reasons for not implementing any of the decisions;
(t) Proposal of Gram Panchayat relating to fresh taxation or enhancement of existing taxes;
(u) Promotion of adult education;
[Act No.5 of 2018] 17
(v) Conservation and maintenance of public properties;
(w) Promotion of self help group activities;
(x) Such other functions as may be prescribed from time to time by the Government.
(9) The Gram Sabha shall have the right to know about the budgetary provisions, the details of plan outlay, item wise allocation of funds and details of the estimates and cost of materials of works executed or proposed to be executed within the area of the Gram Panchayat.
(10) The quorum for the Gram Sabha meetings shall be as follows:
(i) Upto 500 voters
(ii) 501 to 1000 voters
(iii) 1001 to 3000 voters
(iv) 3001 to 5000 voters
(v) 5001 to 10000 voters
(vi) Above 10000 voters 50 Members 75 Members 150 Members 200 Members 300 Members 400 Members
Provided that when the meeting of a Gram Sabha is not held within one hour of the scheduled time for want of quorum, it shall be adjourned. The adjourned meeting shall be held at any time after two hours and the business at such adjourned meeting may be transacted without the requirement of the requisite quorum:
Provided further that the proceedings of every Gram Sabha shall be video-graphed and minuted and proceedings shall be uploaded in the website.
(11) Resolutions shall be passed on majority basis by show of hands, in the meetings of the Gram Sabha in 18 [Act No.5 of 2018] respect of any issue within its jurisdiction; however, effort should be made to take decision on the basis of general consensus as far as possible.
(12) The Gram Sabha shall observe such rules of procedure at its meetings as may be prescribed.
(13) All the Village Level Functionaries of the Departments listed in Schedule - VII shall attend the Gram Sabha and implement the resolutions of the Gram Sabha following the established procedure failing which they shall be liable for disciplinary action.
Total strength of a 7. (1) A Gram Panchayat shall consist of such number of Gram Panchayat. elected members inclusive of its Sarpanch as may be notified from time to time, by the Commissioner in accordance with the following Table and for greater clarity, Schedule VIII shown the number of members against the Gram Panchayats concerned TABLE Gram Panchayat with a Population Number of at the last census. members
(1) (2) Up to 300 5 Exceeding 300 but not exceeding 500 7 Exceeding 500 but not exceeding 1,500 9 Exceeding 1,500 but not exceeding 3,000 11 Exceeding 3,000 but not exceeding 5,000 13 Exceeding 5,000 but not exceeding 10,000 15 Exceeding 10,000 but not exceeding 15,000 17 Exceeding 15,000 but not exceeding 25,000 19 Exceeding 25,000 21
(2) The Member of the Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency shall be permanent invitee to the meetings of [Act No.5 of 2018] 19 Gram Panchayats and he shall have the right to speak in and otherwise to take part in the proceedings of any meeting of the Gram Panchayat or Gram Panchayats functioning within the local limits of the respective jurisdiction; but shall not, by virtue of this section be entitled to vote at any such meeting.
(3) One person who is either a retired employee or a senior citizen having passion for development of village, one President of a Village Organization and one donor to the Gram Panchayat shall be co-opted in the manner prescribed. They shall have the right to speak in and otherwise take part in proceedings of any meeting, but they shall not be entitled to vote at any such meeting.
8. All members of the Gram Panchayat shall be elected by the registered voters in the ward by the method of secret ballot and in accordance with such rules as may be made in this behalf.