Dear Goanet Members, I have prepared this note based on personal experience. However, given the nature of the subject, if I put this forward, then the people will try and shoot the messenger (that is me!!) instead of looking at the issues. I welcome comments!
I am making this note based on what I am told, and I do not have any first hand experience. I hope what I am told is wrong!! However, if it is not, then the issue does require good consideration!!! A friend of mine attended a Gram Sabha in his area. He found out that the voters in the area are allowed to attend. There were about 8000 voters in the area! He was told that the quoram is 10% of the members!!. If at the start of the meeting, there is not sufficient quoram then the meeting is adjourned for 30 minutes, and restarted with whatever number were present after 30 minutes. In this case, the number present were NOT EVEN 150 or even less. It seemed to him that there was really no method to check if those present were ELIGIBLE to VOTE on the issues at the meeting. In fact, he said that some of the speakers were not known to him, nor to those whom he asked around. So, if this is true, I am wondering if the Gram Sabhas are democratic? And if any one respond to this please answer what is meant by "Democracy" and proceed further!!! This message is for discussion in this forum. Best Regards, Dr U. G. Barad
