Definitions:-In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,-

(1)"Act” means the Andhra Pradesh Grama Sachivalayams and Ward Sachivalayams (GSWS) Act, 2023; (2)“Citizen Service” means facility organized and provided by the Government Departments or by a statutory body for benefit of all the people; (3)“Commissioner” means the Commissioner/ Director of the Grama Sachivalayams and Ward Sachivalayams (GSWS) Department; (4)“Competent Authority” means appointed by the Government to discharge functions mentioned under this Act or rules or standing orders made there under; (5)“Department” means Grama Sachivalayams and Ward Sachivalayams (GSWS) Department and includes Commissioner/Director or Competent Authority appointed by the Government to discharge functions mentioned under this

Act or rules or standing orders made there under; (6)“District” means administrative division as created by the State Government; (7)“Functionaries” means the employees of the line departments working in the Sachivalayams in urban and rural areas and responsible for discharging duties as set out by the appropriate Government;

1. (8) “Government” means the State Government of Andhra Pradesh
2. (9) “Line Departments” means Departments within the Government of Andhra Pradesh and Government Corporations;
3. (10) “Notification” means a notification in the official gazette of the State including a district gazette;
4. (11) “Rules” means a rule made under this Act by the Government;
5. (12) “Sachivalayams” means the building /area/ structure/office established under various Government Orders issued hitherto and controlled/ managed/monitored by the Commissioner, GSWS Department and called Grama Sachivalayams in Rural Areas, Ward Sachivalayams in Urban Areas;
6. (13) “Service Charge” means fee collected/levied by the Department from the users for providing Citizen Services;
7. (14) “State” means State of Andhra Pradesh;
8. (15) “Welfare schemes” means assistance program sponsored by the Government for individuals and families in need in the State of Andhra Pradesh. CHAPTER–II ESTABLISHMENT OF GSWS DEPARTMENT AND DECLARATION OF GRAMA SACHIVALAYAMS AND WARD SACHIVALAYAMS