WORKING OF GRAM SABHAS IN ANDHRA PRADESH:
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTSDr. M. Devendra Babu
Abstract
The Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 has made a provision for constituting a Gram Sabha (GS) for every village. This forum enables the people to participate in all aspects of village development. A recent study of the working of GSs in AP state reveals that the GS has become defunct and ineffective. A large number of factors have contributed to this situation. Functioning of rural local bodies will not be effective, transparent and accountable unless the GSs are made vibrant and regular in their meetings. This demands strong commitment and concerted efforts on the part of the state to set right the impediments in the system.