Irikkur
Grama Panchayat

      It is considered that the village assembly of a village includes all the people whose names are listed in the voter list of that village, which falls within the territory of a gram panchayat.

Village Assembly/Ward Assembly Member

A voter in a ward of a village is a member of the village assembly of that ward. Similarly, a voter in a ward of a municipality is a member of that ward assembly.

Convener of the Village Assembly/Ward Assembly

Ward members and the ward councilors of village assemblies are the conveners of the ward assemblies. However, if a convener is unable to carry out their duties, the president of the local government institution can appoint a member from the nearest ward as the convener of that ward.

President

In the Gram Sabha meetings, the Gram Panchayat President and in ward meetings, the Municipal Chairperson should preside. In the absence of the President in Gram Panchayats, the Vice President or, in the absence of both, the Convener should preside. Similarly, in municipalities, in the absence of the Chairperson, the Deputy Chairperson or the Standing Committee Chairperson recommended by the Chairperson, or in their absence, the Convener will preside.

Calling the Meeting

The responsibility of calling the meetings rests with the ward member appointed as the Convener.

Quorum

The quorum for the Gram Sabha/ward meeting is 10 percent of the total voters. However, if the meeting is postponed due to lack of quorum and reconvened, the quorum for such a meeting is 50.

The right of voters to request a special meeting

If at least 10 percent of the voters in a ward submit a written request, the convener must call a special meeting of the gram sabha/ward sabha within 15 days.

Coordinator

An official appointed by the gram panchayat/municipality will act as the coordinator of the gram sabha/ward sabha. The coordinator must assist the convener in all activities related to the gram sabha/ward sabha.

Questions and suggestions

Members have the right to submit questions and suggestions to be considered in the gram sabha/ward sabha either before the meeting or in writing.

Resolutions

Any issue within the powers of the gram sabha/ward sabha can have a resolution passed in that meeting by a majority vote.

Powers and Responsibilities of the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha

A. Related to planning and implementation of projects

Help gather the necessary details for designing development projects.

Prepare proposals and set priorities for projects and development programs to be implemented in the Gram Panchayat / Municipality area. (Draft project proposals should be printed and distributed in the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha, and the Gram Sabha / Ward Sabha should review them and set priorities.)

Provide support to effectively implement development projects, make facilities available, offer voluntary service, provide financial or material assistance, or collect resources.

B. Related to public facility projects

Indicate where streetlights, public water taps, public wells, public sanitation facilities, irrigation facilities, and other public facility projects should be installed.

C. Related to repair works

Know the estimates of works carried out or planned in the village/ward panchayat area, along with details of the cost of materials (details should be distributed at the village/ward panchayat).

Monitor and assist the beneficiary committees that take up development programs.

Collect detailed estimates of the works intended to be implemented in the area.