Even though Grama sabha, a grass root level democratic institution functioning in each village panchayat in the nation, has enormous powers with regard to planning and implementation of schemes, enhancing people participation and social audit, it seems that the powers vested with these forums are being increasingly diluted
A case in point is the recent grama sabha meeting which was held in Malumichampatti village in Madukkurai Panchayat union. In the Grama sabha meeting, held here, the villagers had unanimously passed a resolution against setting up of a TASMAC outlet in the village. But shockingly this resolution was turned down by the officials, who were present there.
Even though Gram sabha are empowered to conduct social audit of all schemes for the welfare of the people, and enjoys self-determination to banning liquor sale through TASMAC outlet in the said village it was faced with rejection from the side of officials.
Block Development officer, Sudhakar who had presided over the Grama Sabha meeting, which took place on May 1.refused to pass the resolution citing one reason or other.
Alleging that the powers of the Grama sabha in their village remain only on paper, the residents say that other resolutions passed in the same meeting faced the same fate.
When the Gramasabha, was trying to pass a resolution to upgrade Malumichampatti, which has over 13,000 population, into a town panchayat, the officials had turned down this resolution too.
“We are afraid that the powers of Panchayat Raj institutions such Gramasabhas are being diluted by the officialdom, who give scant respect to the resolutions passed." said Sujatha, a denizen of the Malumichampatti village.
Gram Sabhas were created as decentralized units of administration which enjoys powers to look after its own affairs including the sale of liquor within the village jurisdiction. Social Activists say that when Gram sabha are envisaged as grass root level forums, which have self-determination. But at the ground level, there are many contradictions to its functionings. Malumichampatti is a case in point.
Such incidents of overruling Gram sabha resolutions by the officialdom would only lead to the dilution of powers of Gram Sabhas, they warned.