SEMINAR

Topic :- Grama Sabha As a Legislative Assembly

Introduction

                   The last decade of the 20th Century witnessed the
implementation of the Panchayati Raj System. Which was a dream of Mahatma
Gandhi. The idea was put into practice on the recommendations of Balwant Roy
Mehta committee. It brought many changes in the social, political and economical
life of the people of India. In 1992 through the 73rd Constitutional amendment, the
Indian Government a three tire structure of Panchayati Raj for whole Country. It is
decentralized administration. The main motto of the system is the authority is
distributed into the public. Actually it was a turning point in the political history of
India.

                  Panchayayati Raj is a three tire administration namely
Gram Panchayat, Block panchayat and Zila Parishad. The bas of Panchayat Raj is
Gram Panchayat. A Gram Panchayat includes certain wards. Mainly between 12-
18 or 14-20 etc. Every ward includes a Grama sabha, which is the basic institutionof Grama Panchayat. The Grama sabha includes all the People who completed 18
years in the ward. It is a part of Direct Democracy. The need of the People in a
ward is presented in the Grama sabha and after well discussion it is passed and sent
to the consideration of panchayat authority. When panchayat provide consent of
the need it is matereialised. Here the Grama Sabha acts as a Legislative Assembly.
The decision taken by Grama Sabha never be rejected because it is the decision of
people. Here the meaning of Panchayat Raj is fulfilled. Every need f the public is
materialized with their participation. It reduced the extravagant and other
unnecessary spending.


                      Early times such needs would not be materialized, more
over the implementation of needs would take more time. It created much
hatredness from the public. But now the Modern System of decentralization woke
up the people and made them responsible persons. Today’s Grama discharges
some judiciary functions also. Some petty cases occur with in the ward are
reported to the Gram Sabha, and the Gram Saba member visit such persons and
warn them. In short Gram Sabha act as legislative assembly as well as a Judiciary.The Panchayati Raj institutions deserve a peculiar mention
because it handles local problems locally. For the unbreakable functions of such
local authority he Central Government distributes a grand-in aid yearly. So the
functions are going smoothly. This system could create a political awareness in
Citizens; and bring them in the main stream of Political System.

Conclusion

Panchayati Raj is a new approach to the Indian Political
field. It was a dream of our nation father. His dream was self sufficient villages.
India government organized the system 50 years after his assassination. It brought
a new mobilization in political field, economic field and social field. It was
Panchayat Raj which brought a new dimension in the country especially among the
women folk. The whole responsibility of women empowerment is the fruite of this
system.

References
 Teaching of social Studies a Practical Approach- JC
Aggarwal Teaching of Social Studies- RP Pathak
http://wikipedia.org