Section 5 in The Orissa Grama Panchayats Act, 1964
5. Grama Sabha and its functions.
(1)There shall be at least two meetings one in February and the other in June every year of the members of the Grama Sasan and such other meetings as may be prescribed.(2)(a)The quorum for the meetings of the Grama Sasan (hereinafter referred to as 'the Grama Sabha') shall be one-tenth of the members of the Grama Sasan.(b)In the event of there being no quorum at any Grama Sabha it shall stand adjourned to a future day of which notice shall be given in the prescribed manner and no quorum shall be necessary for any such adjourned meeting.(3)[ The Grama Sasan shall have the power to -(a)approve the plans, programmes and projects for social and economic development before such plans, programmes and projects are taken up for implementation by the Grama Panchayat;(b)identify or select persons as beneficiaries under the poverty alleviation or similar other programmes :Provided that every Grama Panchayat shall be required to obtain from the Grama Sasan a certificate of utilisation of funds by that Panchayat for the plans, programmes and projects referred to in Clauses (a) and (b).(c)consider and approve the annual budget of the Grama Panchayat including the supplementary or revised budget.(d)consider levy of all taxes, rates, rents and fees and enhancement of rates thereof.(e)organise community service and drawing up and implementation of agricultural production plans.(f)consider all such matters as may be referred to it by the Grama Panchayat for its decision.(g)call for such information and data from the Grama Panchayat as it may consider necessary; and(h)consider such other matters as may be prescribed.](4)Subject to the provisions of Sub-section (1) the meetings of the Grama Sasan shall be convened by such authority, in such manner and at such time and intervals as may be prescribed.(5)The business of the Grama Sasan at the Grama Sabhas shall be conducted and the record of the proceedings thereof shall be maintained in the prescribed manner.(6)[ in the Scheduled Areas, the Grama Sasan shall be competent to safeguard and preserve the tradition and customs of the people, their cultural identity, community resources and customary mode of dispute resolution consistent with the relevant laws in force and in harmony with basic tenets of the Constitution and human rights.] [Inserted by O.A.15 of 1997 vide Orissa Gazette Extraordinary No. 1567, Notification No. 22433 dated 22.12.1997.]
