Question : Meetings of Gram Panchayats

(a) whether there is any manual for organizing regular meetings of Gram Panchayats to develop a sense of transparency and accountability in its functioning and if so, the details of the manual;

(b) whether the meetings in all Gram Panchayats are being conducted according to the manual in the country;

(c) if so, the details of Gram Sabha in the State of Rajasthan including Madha Constituency and Latur district of the State of Maharashtra which organised at least six meetings in a year;

(d) whether meetings in Gram Panchayats of Latur district have decreased, if so, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether Gram Sabha should necessarily be made effective to ensure active role of gram panchayats, if so, the details thereof; and

(f) if so, whether the Government propose to develop integrated and realtime online system to prepare agenda of the meetings of Gram Sabha regularly and the minutes thereof and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRI KAPIL MORESHWAR PATIL)

(a) to (d) Panchayat, being “Local Government”, is a State Subject and part of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. In terms of provisions of Article 243C of the Constitution, the Legislature of a State may, by law, make provisions with respect to the composition of Panchayats. Accordingly, Panchayats are set up and operate through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts and all Panchayat related matters, including organizing regular meetings of Gram Sabhas and Gram Panchayats, are governed by the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts and rules, which may vary across States. Details, in this regard, are not maintained centrally.

(e) & (f) The Panchayati Raj Institutions have been pivotal in promoting social sustainability and strengthening grassroots level democracy in India. Therefore, strengthening the Gram Sabhas and making them vibrant and effective will not only strengthen the democracy at the grassroots level, but will also vastly improve the implementation of all government schemes, ensuring transparency and accountability. Accordingly, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has circulated a detailed advisory for the States/UTs in August 2021, to revitalize the institution of Gram Sabhas by taking up measures such as increasing the frequency of Gram Sabhas, regular standing agenda for the Gram Sabha, preparation of annual calendar for Gram Sabha, attendance of Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ officers in the Gram Sabha meetings, ensuring maximum attendance in Gram Sabha, formation and functioning of Standing Sub-Committees of Gram Sabha, and assigning meaningful and effective roles to the ward members as sector enablers and members of the sub-committee etc. Further, to facilitate meetings of Gram Sabha become more participatory, transparent and vibrant, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has also launched the portal https://meetingonline.gov.in


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