THE VILLAGE PANCHAYAT I
GRAM SABHA
Compiled by:
Kumar Kalanand Mani
Soter D'Souza
Antonnio Francisco Fernandes
All information and suggestions are in accordance with the Goa Panchayati
Raj Act, 1994 (GPR Act, 1994) and Goa Panchayats Meeting Rules (GP Rules)
Circulars in force. This booklet is exclusively for information and not
to be used for legal purposes.
This booklet contains information presented in three parts-
PART - I
Presents rules and suggestions for Gram Sabha
PART - II
Spells out the Functions and Responsibilities of the Panchayat.
PART - III
Gives the powers and duties of Sarpanch and Secretary along with the rules
for Panchayat meetings
Due care has been taken to avoid errors in the compilation. Yet there may
be some errors. Any correction / suggestions shall be welcome.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are deeply grateful to the following resource persons for their valuable
advice, suggestions and support extended for the compilation of this
information
Mr. P.M. Borkar, Director of Panchayat, Govt. of Goa.
Mr. U.D.Gaitonde, Dy. Director of Panchayat (North), Govt. of Goa.
Ms. Saltarat Kazi, Dept. of political science, Goa University.
Mr. Roland Martins, GOA DESC, Mapusa.
Adv. Albertina Almeida, Bailancho Saad, Goa.
Capt. Gerald Fernandes, Social Activist.
INTRODUCTION
The 73rd Amendment to the Constitution of India was meant to empower the
Panchayats for strengthening grass root democracy. Every village knows its
particular needs and therefore planning and implementation of programmes to
address these needs, when undertaken at the village level become more
effective.
It has been our experience that people's participation in Panchayat Raj more
so in the State of Goa has not been encouraging. There are various reasons
and one of these is the lack of awareness and the ignorance of powers vested
in the people. Several citizens have expressed the need for some literature
on the powers and duties of the Gram Sabha, which is the foundation of
Panchayat Raj.
We have attempted through our experience to put together the minimum
required information in this booklet that may help as a guide to the members
of the Gram Sabha and panchayat representatives. We hope this will encourage
greater participation and meaningfulness to the Gram Sabha meetings and the
administration of panchayats.
General Problems, Complaints, Misconceptions of Gram Sabha Members: -
Members coming pre-planned with an issue, or spontaneously, and raising it
without paying heed to the agenda.
Making proposals without submitting them to the Sarpanch within the
stipulated time.
Persons abusing the members on the dais and other Gram Sabha members.
Members raising matters that do not fall within the powers and duties of
Panchayats.
Disobeying the decision of the chairperson.
Chairperson denies permission to raise issues to evade irregularities and
illegalities even after due notice.
Meetings prolonged unnecessarily due to lack of structuring and control of
meeting by the chairpersons.
Secretary provides false information to Gram Sabha.
Copies of proposals, budgets not given prior to the meeting to enable
members to study the same.
Sarpanch / Dy. Sarpanch convene the Gram Sabha at any time and make rules as
per his desire.
WHAT IS A GRAM SABHA OF THE PANCHAYAT?
Gram Sabha means a body consisting of persons whose names are for the
time being entered as electors in the electoral roll for a Panchayat.
(Refer Section 4 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994).
For a person to be enrolled in the electoral roll he/she should have
completed 18 years of age. The time for enrolling is as fixed by the
Election Commission..
WHEN DOES THE GRAM SABHA MEET ?
1.There shall be four ordinary meetings of the Gram Sabha to be held on any
Sunday of January, April, July and October of every year, and is to be
convened by the Sarpanch.
2.There shall also be four Special Meetings of the Gram Sabha on 26th
January, l5th August, 2nd October and 19th December of every year and is to
be convened by the Sarpanch.
3.An extra ordinary meeting of the Gram Sabha shall be convened by the
Sarpanch, upon a requisition in writing of not less than one-tenth number of
members of the Gram Sabha, within thirty days from the receipt of such
requisition.
4.In the event of the Sarpanch failing to convened the ordinary and special
meetings of the Gram Sabha, the Block Development Officer shall convene the
meeting in the following month. In the event of the Sarpanch failing to
convene the extra ordinary meeting within the specified time limit, an
appeal shall preferred to the Block Development Officer under Section 201-A
of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994.
(Refer sections 5 (1), (2), (4), (5) of the G.P.R. Act, 1994)
During the months prescribed for a Gram Sabha meeting the members should
make efforts to read the notice board and newspapers to know the exact date
and place of the meeting.
HOW DOES ONE KNOW THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF THE GRAM SABHA MEETING ?
