'Grama Sabhas should implement schemes'

Gram Swarajya-2011 Samavesha passed eight resolutions concerning the gram panchayats

The various issues discussed include “issues of remote, tribal and backward panchayats”, “the concerns of town panchayats,” “rights of self determination: participation of vulnerable groups”, “living together in peace and ethnic harmony”, “Gram Panchayats as local self governments: roles, responsibilities and powers of Gram Panchayat office bearers”, “devolution of 3Fs: finance, function and functionaries”, “demonstration of political will to ensure democratic decentralisation” and “generation and management of resources within Gram Panchayats.”

On the issues of remote, tribal and backward panchayats, the samavesha said the Acts related to forest rights, rights of tribals, and the rights of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, must be implemented on or before June 30, 2012. The decision of the right to the access and use forest resources should be discussed and decided at a special gram sabha.

The Union or State Government should only present their plans regarding any development while the implementation of these schemes should be decided by the gram sabhas. The State Government should implement the recommendations of the Third Finance Commission.

The geographical, cultural, social marginalisation of the communities should be given due consideration by the State while making financial allocations.

Elections to the gram panchayats should be held three months before the end of its term and the Government should provide basic training to all elected members within one month of elections.

The State Government should publish the orders and circulars issued by its various departments within 24 hours on their websites.

The State should discuss the plans, which fall within the jurisdiction of the gram panchayats at the gram sabhas and seek their views.

The State should set up State Panchayat Parishad according to the law and hold regular meetings and fulfill its responsibilities.

The  Planning Committees in the districts should be reorganised.

The gram panchayats should create a favourable environment for active participation of all vulnerable groups in ward meetings and gram sabhas.