The Grama Sabha is the grass root level democratic institution in each Village Panchayat. A vibrant Grama Sabha is essential for the effective functioning of Village Panchayats by promoting transparency and accountability in administration, enhancing public participation in the planning and implementation of schemes and in the choice of beneficiaries, and paving the way for social audit. The Government have ordered the conduct of Grama Sabha meetings a minimum of four times a year i.e. on 26th January, 1st May, 15th August and 2nd October.

In order to streamline the procedure for the conduct of Grama Sabha, this Government brought out suitable amendments to the Tamil Nadu Grama Sabha (Quorum and Procedure for convening and conducting of meetings) Rules, 1998 vide G.O.Ms No. 130 RD & PR (C4) Department dated 25.9.2006 and specified that the Grama Sabha shall meet in each of the Village Panchayat wards by rotation.

As part of our civic education we have organized Mainstreaming youth in Local Governance  events with ten young people. Our catalyst and Executive Director Mr.Dinesh Gajendran has been lead the event, Where the young people have learned about,

The Grama Shaba in the key factor is making the Grama Panchayath play its role and be responsible.  It is the place where all plans for the work of the Grama Panchayath are placed before the people.  The Grama Shaba prevents the Panchayath from doing wrong things like misusing money or favouring certain people.  It plays an important role in keeping an eye on the elected representatives  and is making them responsible to the person  who is elected them.

Functions

1. a)      A study of the Grama Panchayath acts reveals that  the Grama Shaba is to perform numerous functions like a discussing the report on socio-economic development programmes implemented by the Grama Panchayath in the previous financial year.
2. b)      Examine the annual statement of the account and adult report as well as annual report of administration if the Grama Pnchayath in the last financial year.
3. c)      Examine the budget of the Grama Panchayath for the next financial years.
4. d)      Identification of the beneficiaries of various antipoverly and Rural Development Programme.
5. e)      Undertake programmes of adult education and family welfare into the village mobilization of volunteer labor and contribution in kind or cash.

These are the things they have learned.