Powers and functions of Gram Sabha and its annual meeting

Powers and functions of Gram Sabha and its annual meeting -

1. (1) Subject to such rules as may be made by the State Government in this behalf and such general or special orders as may be issued by the State Government from time to time, the Gram Sabha shall have the following powers and functions, that is to say :-
   • (a) to identify the economic development and set the principles for the identification and priority of such schemes;
   • (b) to approve the plans, programmes and projects for social and economic development including all annual plans before the same are taken up for implementation by the Gram Panchayat;
   • (c) to consider the annual budget of the Gram Panchayat and make recommendations on it;
   • (d) to consider the audit report and annual accounts of the Gram Panchayat;
   • (e) to ascertain and certify the proper utilisation of funds by the Gram Panchayat for the plans, programmes and projects referred to in clause (b);
   • (f) to identify and select persons as beneficiaries under the poverty alleviation and other programmes;
   • (g) to ensure proper utilisation of funds and assets to the beneficiaries;
   • (h) to mobilise people for community welfare programmes;
     • (i) to ensure active participation of individuals for implementation, maintenance and equitable distribution of the benefits of development schemes in the village;
   • (j) to enhance awareness among the people in general; (j-one) to exercise control over institutions and functionaries in social sectors, which are transferred to the Gram Panchayat or are appointed by the Gram Panchayat through that Panchayat; (j-two) to manage the natural resources including land, water and forest within the area of the village in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and other relevant laws in force; (j-three) to advise the Gram Panchayat in the regulation and use of minor water bodies; (j-four) to control the local plans and sources and expenditure of such plans; and prevention and regulation of cleanliness, sanitation and abatement of public nuisance;
   • (k) to construct, maintain and repair of public wells, tanks and ponds and supply of water for domestic use;
   • (l) to construct and maintain sources of water for bathing and washing and for drinking by domestic animals;
   • (m) to construct and maintain rural roads, bridges, culverts, dams and other works of public utility and buildings;
   • (n) to construct, maintain and clean public roads, drains, tanks, wells and other public places;
   • (o) to fill in unused wells, insanitary drains, ditches and pits and conversion of step wells into clean wells;
   • (p) to arrange for lighting of village roads and other public places;
   • (q) to remove obstructions and projections in public streets or public places and in such sites as are not private property or are open to public use, whether the sites are vested in the Panchayat or belong to the State Government;
   • (r) to regulate and control entertainment, shows, shops, eating houses and vendors of drinks, sweets, fruits, milk and similar other items; to regulate the construction of houses, stalls, sheds, drains and public latrines;
   • (t) to manage public land and management, expansion and development of the village site; (u)
   • (one) to regulate the place for the disposal of dead bodies, carcasses and other offensive matters;
   • (two) to dispose of unclaimed dead bodies and carcasses;
     • (v) to separate the places for collection of refuse;
   • (w) to regulate the sale and preservation of meat;
     • (x) to maintain the property of the Gram Sabha;
   • (y) to establish and manage cattle pounds and to maintain records relating to animals;
   • (z) to maintain such ancient and historical monuments other than those declared by or under law made by Parliament to be of national importance and to keep the grazing lands and other lands vested in or under the control of the Gram Sabha;
   • (aa) to keep records of birth, death and marriages;
   • (bb) to assist in census work and in other surveys conducted by the State Government or Central Government or any other legally constituted local authority;
   • (cc) to assist in the prevention of contagious diseases;
   • (dd) to assist in vaccination and inoculation and to help in implementing such other preventive steps for the protection of humans and animals as may be prescribed by the concerned Government departments;
   • (ee) to help the disabled and the destitute;
   • (ff) to promote youth welfare, family welfare and sports; (gg)
   • (a) for the protection of life and property;
   • (b) for the prevention of fire, to establish fire protection committee for fire fighting and for the protection of property in case of such fire;
   • (hh) to plant trees and protect village trees;
     • (ii) to remove social evils like dowry; (jj)
   • (one) for the purpose of providing medical assistance to poor persons in cases of serious and emergency nature; or
   • (two) for the purpose of performing the last rites of a poor person or a member of his family; or (three) for any other such purpose for the benefit of a poor person as may be notified by the State Government from time to time, subject to such restrictions and conditions as may be prescribed to sanction loans; (kk)
   • (one) to implement the instructions or orders given or issued by the State Government, Collector or any other authority authorized by the State Government in this behalf, in connection with the steps to improve the conditions of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections and in particular in connection with the removal of untouchability; Provided that where such tasks have been assigned to the Gram Sabha, it shall act as an agent of the State Government, Zila Panchayat or Janpad Panchayat as the case may be, and for that purpose necessary funds and other assistance shall be provided by the State Government, Zila Panchayat or Janpad Panchayat as the case may be;
   • (ll) to plan and manage basic amenities;
   • (mm) to select beneficiaries under various programmes;
   • (nn) to implement, execute and monitor development schemes and construction works within the Gram Sabha area;
   • (oo) to control, monitor and supervise beneficiary oriented schemes and programmes;
   • (pp) to promote general awareness among the people in general;
   • (qq) to arrange for voluntary labor and contribution for community works and to promote the concept of keeping community ownership;
   • (rr) to plan, keep ownership and manage minor water bodies situated within its territorial jurisdiction;
   • (ss) to lease out a specified area and minor water body for fishing and other commercial purposes;
   • (tt) to regulate the use of rivers, water courses, minor water bodies for irrigation purposes;
   • (uu) to keep control over institutions and functionaries in all social sectors transferred to or appointed by the Gram Sabha;
2. (2) The annual meeting of the Gram Sabha shall be held at least three months before the start of the next financial year and the Gram Panchayat shall place the following before such meeting: -
   • (a) Annual statement of accounts;
   • (b) Report on the administration of the preceding financial year;
   • (c) Development and other work programmes proposed for the next financial year;
   • (d) The last audit note and replies thereto, if any;
   • (e) Annual budget of the Gram Panchayat and annual plan for the next financial year; (2-a) The Gram Panchayat shall place before the Gram Sabha such matters which the Janpad Panchayat, Zila Panchayat, Collector or any authority authorized for this purpose may require to be placed before such meeting;
3. (3) The Gram Panchayat shall implement the recommendations, if any, made by the Gram Sabha in relation to matters of its concern under this section.