Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994

Infrastructure1994251 sections19 chapters

The Goa Panchayat Raj Act 1994 establishes and regulates local government bodies, known as Village Panchayats and Gram Sabhas, across rural Goa. This legislation applies directly to all village electors, local government officials, and communities within the state. By defining rules for elections, member qualifications, and mandatory seat reservations for women and marginalized groups, the Act ensures fair local representation. It matters because it empowers citizens with direct democratic control over their communities, allowing them to approve budgets, supervise public works, and guide developmental decisions, thereby strengthening grassroots democracy and encouraging active and inclusive social progress in rural Goan villages.

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Chapter I Chapter I →

  1. 1Short title and commencement.
  2. 2Definitions.

Chapter II Chapter II →

  1. 3Declaration of Panchayat areas and establishment of Panchayats.
  2. 4Gram Sabha.
  3. 5Meeting of Gram Sabha.
  4. 6Functions of Gram Sabha.
  5. 7Constitution of Panchayats.
  6. 8Incorporation of Panchayats.
  7. 9Qualification for membership.
  8. 10Disqualification for membership.
  9. 10AIf a person who has been elected as a member of the Panchayat is or becomes a
  10. 11Decision on questions as to disqualification.
  11. 12Vacation of seat by members.
  12. 13Lists of Voters.
  13. 14Right to vote.
  14. 15Election of members.
  15. 16Election Petition.
  16. 17Contents of petition and relief that may be claimed.
  17. 18Trial of election petition.
  18. 20Grounds for declaring election to be void.
  19. 21Grounds on which a candidate other than the returned candidate may be declared to have been elected
  20. 22Procedure in case of equality of votes.
  21. 23Corrupt practices.
  22. 24Order as to corrupt practices.
  23. 25Communication of orders.
  24. 26Fresh election if a seat becomes vacant.
  25. 27Prohibition of canvassing in or near polling station.
  26. 28Penalty for disorderly conduct in or near polling stations.
  27. 29Penalty for misconduct at polling station.
  28. 30Maintenance of secrecy of voting.
  29. 31Officers etc., at elections not to act for candidate or influence voting.
  30. 32Breaches of official duty in connection with elections.
  31. 33Removal of ballot papers from polling stations to be an offence.
  32. 34Other offences and penalties thereof.
  33. 35Promotion of enemity between classes in connection with election.
  34. 36Prohibition of public meetings on the day preceding the election day and on the election day
  35. 37Powers of Collector to prohibit fairs etc. on election day
  36. 38Panchayat area on the day of election to the Panchayat of such area.
  37. 39Restrictions on the printing of pamphlets, posters etc.
  38. 40Penalty for illegal hiring or procuring of conveyance at election.
  39. 41Prosecution in certain offences.
  40. 42Term of office.
  41. 43Commencement of term of office.
  42. 44Resignation of member.
  43. 45Reservation of office of Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch.
  44. 46Procedure for Election of Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch.
  45. 47Executive powers and functions of the Secretary.
  46. 49Appointment of Sarpanch during vacancy in the office.
  47. 50Resignation or Removal of Sarpanch or Deputy Sarpanch.
  48. 51Motion of no confidence against Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch.
  49. 52Procedure at meeting.
  50. 53Casual Vacancies.
  51. 54Meeting of the Panchayat.
  52. 55Quorum and Procedure.
  53. 56Modification or cancellation of resolution.
  54. 57Minutes.
  55. 58Interpellations and resolutions.
  56. 59Validity of proceeding.

Chapter III Chapter III →

  1. 60Functions of the Panchayat.
  2. 61Assignments of functions.
  3. 62General powers of the Panchayat.
  4. 63Standing Committees.
  5. 64Powers and duties of the Sarpanch and Deputy Sarpanch.
  6. 65Power of Panchayat as to roads, bridges, etc.
  7. 66Regulation of the erection of buildings.
  8. 67Panchayat.
  9. 68Permission for the construction of factories and the installation of
  10. 69Prohibition of offensive or dangerous trades without licence.
  11. 70Control of hotels etc.
  12. 71Licensing of shops.
  13. 72Provisions applicable to permission and licences.
  14. 73Provided that the Director shall not grant any interim relief without hearing the Panchayat.
  15. 74Transfer of any work or institutions to Panchayat.
  16. 75Power to name streets and number buildings.
  17. 76Removal of structures, trees, etc., which are in ruins or likely to fall.
  18. 77Power as to sanitation, conservancy and drainage.
  19. 78Contribution from persons having control over places of pilgrimage, etc.
  20. 79Power for providing adequate water supply.
  21. 80Power of Panchayat to make bye-laws regarding provisions of water supply.
  22. 81Appointment of Joint Committee.
  23. 82Power of entry.
  24. 83Filthy buildings, etc.
  25. 84Powers and duties in regard to sources of water supply.
  26. 85Remedy for non-compliance with directions issued.
  27. 86Power to set apart public springs, etc., for certain purposes.
  28. 87Power to prohibit use of water from certain sources.
  29. 88Penalty for using water for certain purposes.
  30. 89Abatement of nuisance from foul water.
  31. 90Closing of places for the disposal of the dead.
  32. 91Power of entry into building, etc.
  33. 92Disinfection of buildings etc.
  34. 93Articles exposed to infection.
  35. 94Registration of burial and burning grounds.
  36. 95Licensing of places for disposal of the dead.
  37. 96A book to be kept of places registered, licensed, as provided.
  38. 97Prohibition against burying or burning, in unauthorized places.
  39. 98Notice of burials, etc. to be given to Panchayat
  40. 99Public landing places, cart stands, etc.
  41. 100Regulation of huts.
  42. 101Power for making drains.
  43. 102Sufficient drainage of houses.
  44. 103Power of owner or occupier of buildings or lands to drain into Panchayat drains
  45. 104Right to carry drain through land or into drain belonging to other persons.
  46. 105Rights of owner of land through which drain is carried in regard to subsequent building thereon
  47. 106Provision of privies, etc.
  48. 107Cost of altering, repairing and keeping in proper order privies, etc.
  49. 108Inspection of drains, etc.
  50. 109Dangerous quarrying.
  51. 110Using offensive substance, etc.
  52. 111Emission of smoke.
  53. 112Prohibition of nuisance.

Chapter IV Chapter IV →

  1. 113Secretary.
  2. 114Staffing pattern and schedule of employees.
  3. 115Appointment and control of employees.

Chapter IV A →

    Chapter IV B →

      Chapter IV C →

        Chapter IV-D Chapter IV-D →

          Chapter IV-E Chapter IV-E →

            Chapter IV-F Chapter IV-F →

            1. 0Preamble

            Chapter IV-G Chapter IV-G →

              Chapter V Chapter V →

              1. 116Establishment of Zilla Panchayat and its incorporation.
              2. 117Constitution of Zilla Panchayats.
              3. 118Reservation of seats.
              4. 119Delimitation of territorial constituencies.
              5. 120Right to vote.
              6. 121Electoral Roll.
              7. 122Qualification of a candidate.
              8. 123Disqualification for members.
              9. 124Vacancy of seat.
              10. 125Method of voting and procedure for election.
              11. 126Prohibition of simultaneous membership.
              12. 127Application of certain sections relating to elections.
              13. 128Publication of names of members.
              14. 129Term of office of member.
              15. 130Resignation of members.
              16. 131Removal of Members for misconduct.
              17. 132Casual vacancy.
              18. 133Election of Adhyaksha and Upadhyaksha and term of office.
              19. 133AElection of the members for Zilla Panchayats.
              20. 134However, independent candidates shall also be eligible to contest as independents.
              21. 135Resignation or removal of Adhyaksha and Upadhyaksha.
              22. 136Meeting of Zilla Panchayat.
              23. 137Interpellations and Resolution.
              24. 138Zilla Panchayat may require the presence of Government officer at meetings
              25. 139Validity of proceedings.

              Chapter VI Chapter VI →

              1. 140Functions of the Zilla Panchayat.
              2. 141Assignment of functions.
              3. 142Standing Committees.
              4. 143Delegation of powers.
              5. 144Power to divert discontinue or close road.
              6. 145General powers of Zilla Panchayat.
              7. 146Control of unwieldy traffic.
              8. 147Powers and duties of the Adhyaksha.
              9. 148Powers and duties of the Upadhyaksha.
              10. 149Mode of making contracts.

              Chapter VII Chapter VII →

              1. 150Chief Executive Officer and other Officers.
              2. 151Panchayats as may be prescribed.
              3. 152Chief Executive officer’s right to requisition records, etc.

              Chapter VIII Chapter VIII →

              1. 153Levy of taxes, rates etc. by Panchayat.
              2. 154Recovery of taxes and other dues.
              3. 155Appeal against assessment etc.
              4. 156Composition of taxes in factory areas.
              5. 157Agency for collection.

              Chapter IX Chapter IX →

              1. 158Panchayat may acquire, hold and dispose of property, etc.
              2. 159Vesting of property in Panchayat.
              3. 160Grants to a Panchayat or a Zilla Panchayat.
              4. 161Panchayat Fund.
              5. 162Application of Panchayat Fund and property.
              6. 163Panchayat may raise loans and form a sinking fund.
              7. 164Zilla Panchayat may acquire, hold and dispose of property, etc.
              8. 165Vesting of property in Zilla Panchayat.
              9. 166Zilla Panchayat Fund.
              10. 167Custody and investment of Zilla Panchayat Fund.
              11. 168Application of Zilla Panchayat Fund and property.
              12. 169Rents and Fees.
              13. 170Zilla Panchayat may raise loans and form a sinking fund.
              14. 171Prohibition of expenditure not covered by the Budget.
              15. 172Government may place roads and other property under Zilla Panchayat.

              Chapter X Chapter X →

              1. 173Power of inspection and supervision.
              2. 174Technical supervision and inspections.
              3. 175Director and Chief Executive Officer’s powers in respect of Panchayat and
              4. 176Power of Government, Director and Chief Executive Officer to provide for
              5. 177Inquiry into affairs of Panchayat, or Zilla Panchayat by the Government.
              6. 178Power of suspending execution of unlawful orders or resolution.
              7. 179Purchase of stores and equipments.
              8. 180Power to appoint Administrator in certain cases.
              9. 181Director’s power to specify the role of Panchayats.

              Chapter XI Chapter XI →

              1. 182Presentation of accounts and budget of Panchayat.
              2. 183Revision of budget.
              3. 184Maintenance of accounts and restriction of expenditure.
              4. 185Transmission of accounts.
              5. 186Power to write off irrecoverable amounts.
              6. 187Audit of accounts.
              7. 188Presentation of accounts and budget of Zilla Panchayat.
              8. 189Revision of budget.
              9. 190Supplementary budget.
              10. 191Maintenance of accounts and restrictions of expenditure.
              11. 192Transmission of accounts.
              12. 193Power to write off irrecoverable sums.
              13. 194Audit of Accounts.
              14. 195Action by Zilla Panchayat on audit report.
              15. 196Recovery of amounts disallowed.
              16. 197Procedure for recovery of dues of Zilla Panchayat.
              17. 198Conditions of distraint and sale.
              18. 199Finance Commission.

              Chapter XII Chapter XII →

              1. 200Dissolution of Panchayats.
              2. 201Appeals.
              3. 201BRevision.
              4. 202Power over decisions of committees.
              5. 203Requisition of premises, vehicles, etc., for election purposes.
              6. 204Payment of compensation.
              7. 205Power to obtain information.
              8. 206Power of entry into and inspection of premises, etc.
              9. 207Eviction from requisitioned premises.
              10. 208Release of premises from requisitioning.
              11. 209Penalty for contravention of any order regarding requisition.
              12. 210Liability of Members of Panchayats and Zilla Panchayats for loss, waste or misapplication
              13. 211Penalty for acting as a member, Sarpanch or Deputy Sarpanch of Village
              14. 212Penalty for interested member voting.
              15. 213Penalty for acquisition by officer or servant of interest in contract.
              16. 214Wrongful obstruction of certain officers.
              17. 215Prohibition against obstruction of Sarpanch or Deputy Sarpanch, etc.
              18. 216Prohibition against removal or obliteration of notice.
              19. 217Penalty for not furnishing information or giving false information.
              20. 218Bidding prohibited.
              21. 219Application of the term “public servant” to members of Panchayats and their officers and servants
              22. 220Damage to any property of Panchayats and how made good.
              23. 221Restrictions with respect to institution of suits against a Panchayat or Zilla
              24. 222Injunctions not to be granted in election proceedings.
              25. 223Punishment for disobedience or orders and notices not punishable under any other section
              26. 224In default of owner or occupier, Panchayat may execute works and recover expenses
              27. 225Expenses or costs how determined and recovered.
              28. 226Bar of suits, etc.
              29. 227Alternative programme by suit.
              30. 228Punishment for offences under this Act and powers to compound.
              31. 229Annual administration report.
              32. 230Adjustment of Government dues, etc.
              33. 231Power of Government to dissolve and reconstitute Panchayats on the
              34. 232Transfer of property may be subject to conditions.
              35. 233Saving of acts and proceedings.
              36. 234Procedure for consultation.
              37. 235Method of serving notices etc.
              38. 236Official display of flag.
              39. 237State Election Commission.
              40. 238Preparation of development plan.
              41. 239District Planning Committee.
              42. 240Power of Government to make rules.
              43. 241Amendment of
              44. 242Power of Zilla Panchayat to make regulations.
              45. 243Power of Panchayat to make bye-laws.
              46. 244Power of Government to make model regulations and bye-laws and
              47. 244CTransfer of proceedings.
              48. 245Repeal and savings.
              49. 246Removal of difficulties.

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