Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha

Grama Sabha / Ward Sabha

🏛️ Ward Sabha / Grama Sabha - Introduction

Grama Sabhas and Ward Sabhas form the most crucial foundation of the decentralized planning process of Local Self-Government Institutions in Kerala. Ward Sabhas serve as a critical platform to plan the developmental activities of the Panchayat from the grassroots level and to approve schemes by ensuring complete public participation.

Under the Kerala Panchayat Raj Act, the Ward Sabha is constituted by including all voters of each ward. The Grama Sabha is the collective assembly of all Ward Sabhas in a Grama Panchayat.

👤 Member

A voter in a ward of a village is a member of the Grama Sabha of that ward. Similarly, a voter in a municipal ward is a member of that Ward Sabha. Every voter in the ward has the right to actively participate and record their opinions in Grama Sabhas.

📋 Convener

Ward Members act as Conveners of Grama Sabhas, and Ward Councilors act as Conveners of Ward Sabhas.

Special Circumstance: If a Convener is unable to perform their duties, the President/Chairperson of the Local Self-Government Institution may appoint a member from an adjacent ward as the Convener for that ward.

🎤 Presiding Officer

The Grama Panchayat President presides over the Grama Sabha meeting, and the Municipal Chairperson presides over the Ward Sabha meeting. In the absence of the President, the Vice President, and in the absence of both, the Convener shall preside over the meeting.

📅 Convening Meetings

The responsibility to convene Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha meetings rests entirely with the Ward Member, who is also the Convener. The Convener is obligated to regularly convene meetings at specified intervals.

🤝 Coordinator

An official officially designated by the Grama Panchayat/Municipality shall act as the Coordinator for the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha. It is the responsibility of this Coordinator to assist the Convener in all activities and official matters related to the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha.

💡 Questions, Suggestions & Resolutions

Questions and Suggestions:

Members have the full right to submit questions and suggestions to be considered in the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha in writing prior to or during the meeting.

Resolutions:

Resolutions on any matter within the jurisdiction of the Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha can be passed by a majority vote during the respective meeting.

⚙️ Major Duties and Powers of Ward Sabha

1. Development Activities and Schemes

  • Discuss developmental needs and issues of the ward and recommend them to the Panchayat.
  • Determine priority sectors and priorities for the annual plans of the Panchayat.
  • Select eligible beneficiaries for various schemes in a transparent manner.

2. Implementation and Monitoring

  • Evaluate the implementation progress and quality of various projects being executed in the ward.
  • Conduct social auditing of development activities and expenditures implemented by the Panchayat.
  • Disseminate information regarding various welfare schemes implemented by the Panchayat to the public.

3. Local Services and Taxation

  • Discuss local issues such as tax collection, drinking water availability, public sanitation, and waste management.
  • Organize protection activities for ward drinking water sources and cleaning campaigns for streams and public spaces.

📢 Meetings and Announcements

Prior notifications regarding the date, time, and location of Grama Sabha/Ward Sabha meetings will be communicated to the public at the ward level through notices and digital media platforms.