Which Article of Indian Constitution is about Gram Sabha?

The correct answer is 243 A.

Key Points

• Article 243A of the Indian Constitution pertains to the establishment of the Gram Sabha in a village or group of villages.
• The Gram Sabha is defined as a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village within the Panchayat area.
• It acts as a deliberative and decision-making body, playing a critical role in ensuring participatory democracy at the grassroots level.
• The Gram Sabha exercises powers and performs functions entrusted to it by the State Legislature, including approval of development plans and identifying beneficiaries for government schemes.
• The provision for Gram Sabha was added through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which focused on strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

Additional Information

• Gram Sabha:
  • It is the cornerstone of the Panchayati Raj system and ensures direct democracy by involving citizens in decision-making processes.
  • All persons above 18 years of age and registered in the electoral rolls of the village are members of the Gram Sabha.
• 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992:
  • This amendment added Part IX to the Constitution, titled "The Panchayats," and included Articles 243 to 243O.
  • It provided a constitutional framework for decentralized governance in rural India.
• Powers of Gram Sabha:
  • It approves the annual budget and development plans of the Panchayat.
  • It oversees the implementation of government schemes and ensures transparency in their execution.
• Relevance in Governance:
  • The Gram Sabha empowers citizens to participate in grassroots governance, making it a vital instrument for decentralized administration.
  • It plays a pivotal role in identifying beneficiaries for welfare programs and ensuring accountability in rural development initiatives.