Gram Sabha

• The Gram Sabha is a meeting of all adults who live in the area covered by a Panchayat.
• Anyone who is 18 years old or more and who has the right to vote is a member of the Gram Sabha.
• Every village Panchayat is divided into wards ,smaller areas.
• Each ward elects a representative who is known as the ward member.
• All the members of the Gram Sabha also elect a sarpanch who is the Panchayat president.
• The Ward Panchs and the Sarpanch form the Gram Panchayat.
• The Gram Panchayat is elected for five years.
• The Gram Panchayat has a secretary who is the secretary of the Gram Sabha who is known as GRAMSEVAK.
• This person is not an elected person but is appointed by the government.
• The Secretary is responsible for calling the meeting of the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat and keeping a record of the proceedings.
• The Gram Sabha is the key factor in making the Gram Panchayat play its role and be responsible .
• It is the place where all plans for the work of the Gram Panchayat are placed before the people.
• The Gram Sabha prevents the Panchayat from doing wrong things like misusing money or favouring certain people.
• It plays an important role in keeping an eye on the elected representatives and in making them responsible to the persons who elected them.

The works of Gram Panchayat includes

• The construction and maintenance of water resources,roads,drainage,school buildigns and other common property resources.
• Levying and collecting local taxes.
• Executing government schemes related to generating employment in the village.

Sources of funds

• Collection of taxes on houses,market places etc.
• Government schemes funds received through various departments
• Donations for community works.