Gram Sabha Year
Union Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Dr. C.P. Joshi today informed the Lok Sabha that two circulars had been issued on 2nd October, 2009 to the States/ UTs covered under Part IX of the Constitution to observe 2009-10 as the Year of Gram Sabha for effective functioning of the Gram Sabhas. The State Governments were advised, inter alia, to ensure that at least four meetings of Gram Sabha are held with a notice of at least 7 days to ensure adequate participation in the meeting. It was also indicated that Government officials must be present at the meeting of the Gram Sabha. States were also urged to prepare and implement action plans and also to adopt the provisions of the draft Model Panchayat and Gram Swaraj Act circulated by this Ministry for strengthening of Gram Sabha.
As per provision of Article 243A of the Constitution a Gram Sabha may exercise such powers and perform such functions at the village level as the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide.
The Minister was replying to a written question whether the Government/ States have declared Year 2010 as Year of Gram Sabha and the details thereof and the powers and privileges being given to the Gram Sabha.
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(Release ID :63931)