**Executive Summary**
This document contains the answer provided by the Minister of Panchayati Raj to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding Gram Sabha decisions. The questions address the formulation of national policies, norms for meetings, and punitive actions against Panchayats that ignore Gram Sabha decisions. It was answered on February 3, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Panchayat as a State Subject:**
* Panchayat is considered a "Local Government" and a State subject as per the Constitution of India.
* Panchayats operate through State Panchayati Raj Acts, which may vary across States, subject to constitutional provisions.
* Gram Sabha can exercise powers and functions at the village level as provided by the State Legislature.
* **Gram Sabha Guidelines and Policies:**
* Formulation of any policy or guidelines for Gram Sabha decisions, meeting norms, attendance, implementation, and punitive provisions are governed by respective State Panchayati Raj Acts and rules.
* **Ministry of Panchayati Raj Initiatives:**
* The Ministry has circulated detailed advisories to States and Union Territories to revitalize Gram Sabhas.
* Measures include sharing details of flagship government schemes, holding 6-12 Gram Sabha meetings per year, and ensuring a quorum as provided in the State Act.
* Preparation of regular standing agendas, annual calendars, and attendance of Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ officers.
* Formation of Standing Sub-Committees, assigning meaningful roles to ward members.
* Launch of the ‘Panchayat-NIRNAY’ App to facilitate transparent and participatory meetings.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Governments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the policies and rules regarding Gram Sabha decisions, meeting norms, and punitive actions against Panchayats through their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts.
* **Action Required:** Review and align their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts with the advisories from the Ministry to revitalize Gram Sabhas.
**Stakeholder: Panchayats**
* **Impact:** Subject to the State Panchayati Raj Acts and may face punitive actions if they ignore Gram Sabha decisions.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to the State Panchayati Raj Acts and rules regarding Gram Sabha meetings, attendance, and implementation of decisions.
**Stakeholder: Gram Sabhas**
* **Impact:** Their powers, functions, and decisions are subject to State laws. The initiatives from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj aim to make Gram Sabhas more participatory, transparent, and vibrant.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the ‘Panchayat-NIRNAY’ App and other provided resources to enhance participation and transparency in meetings.
Key Entities Referenced
State Panchayati Raj Acts: Governs the Panchayats and Gram Sabha decisions, varying from State to State.
Gram Sabha: Village level assembly to discuss local governance.
Article 243A of the Constitution of India: Constitutional provision empowering Gram Sabha.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj: The primary ministry responsible for Panchayati Raj institutions.
Panchayat-NIRNAY App: App launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to facilitate Gram Sabha meetings.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRYOF PANCHAYATIRAJ
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO–†626
ANSWEREDON 03.02.2026
GRAM SABHADECISIONS
†626.SHRIANURAG SHARMA:
Will the Minister of PANCHAYATIRAJ be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to formulate any national policy or guidelines to
make Gram Sabhadecisions binding;
(b) the norms set for the minimum number of Gram Sabha meetings, minimum
attendancerequirement andimplementationof decisions; and
(c) the details of punitive provisions proposed against the Panchayats that ignore the
decisions of Gram Sabhas?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRIRAJIVRANJAN SINGH)
(a) to (c) “Panchayat”, being “Local Government”, is a State subject and part of State
List of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Panchayats are set up and operate
through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts( which may vary from State to State),
subject to the provisions of the Constitution. In terms of provisions of Article 243A of the
Constitution of India, a Gram Sabhamay exercise such powers and perform such functions at
the village level as the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide. Therefore, powers and
functions of a Gram Sabha, including formulating any policy or guidelines to make Gram
Sabha decisions binding, to set norms for the minimum number of Gram Sabha meetings,
minimum attendance requirement and implementation of decisions and punitive provisions
against the Panchayats that ignore the decisions of Gram Sabhas etc, are governed by the
respective State PanchayatiRaj Acts andrules. These mayvaryacross States.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has circulated detailed advisories to the States and
Union Territories to revitalize the institution of Gram Sabhas by taking up measures such as
sharing basic details of flagship schemes of the Government in Gram Sabha meetings,
holding minimum 6 and maximum 12 Gram Sabha meetings in a year, ensuring minimum
quorum as provided in the State Panchayati Raj Act, preparation of regular standing agenda
for the Gram Sabha,preparationof annualcalendarfor Gram Sabha,attendanceof Group ‘A’
and ‘B’ officersinthe Gram Sabhameetings,ensuring maximumattendanceinGram Sabha,
formation and functioning of Standing Sub-Committees of Gram Sabha, and assigning
meaningful and effective roles to the ward members as sector enablers and members of the
sub-committee etc. Further, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has also launched the ‘Panchayat-
NIRNAY’ App to facilitate meetings of Gram Sabha becoming more participatory,
transparent andvibrant.
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