Working of Gram Sabha in Punjab: Goals, Role and Challenges

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Local self–government got a strong foundation after the 73rd and 74th amendments in the Constitution of India. The objectives of these amendments were to ensure the people’s participation at the grassroots level and bring uniformity in local self-government institutions across the country. The 73rd amendment is about the rural local governments which are also known as Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Apart from the three-tier structure of PRIs, this amendment also made the provision for the mandatory creation of the institution of Gram Sabha at the village level comprising all the adult members registered in the electoral roll as a voter in the Panchayat area. Therefore, the institution of Gram Sabha has become a significant platform for the people’s participation in the deliberative bodies at the very grassroots level. Gram Sabha is the means of politicization of people which enhances their awareness towards state and national politics also. The objective of this research paper is to understand the role and functions of the Gram Sabha in a special context to Punjab Panchayati Raj Act 1994. It is also an attempt to analyze the role of Gram Sabha in strengthening and deepening democracy at the local level. In this study, the participation of the various sections of the society like women, scheduled castes and other backward strata in the functioning of Gram Sabha has also been analyzed. Many challenges and hurdles like the ignorance about and low participation of villagers in Gram Sabha have been recognized in this study which is responsible for the improper and weak working of Gram Sabha at the local level in Punjab and this body need to be strengthened more to ensure the participation of the people in this body of self-government. This study is specifically confined to the four villages of the Sangrur District of Punjab.