(1)There shall be constituted an Area Sabha for each area determined under section 40, comprising all persons registered as voters of the area.(2)The Area Sabha shall perform and discharge the following functions and duties, namely:-(a)to identify eligible persons within the area for beneficiary-oriented schemes on the basis of criteria fixed by the State/Central Governments, and to prepare lists of eligible beneficiaries in an order of priority and forward the same to the municipality;(b)to verify eligibility of persons getting welfare assistance from the State/Central Governments such as pensions and subsidies;(c)to suggest location of streetlights, public water taps, community/public sanitation units, and other public amenities within the area;(d)to identify the deficiencies in the water supply and street lighting arrangements in the area and to suggest remedial measures;(e)to assist the activities of urban public health centers in the area, especially in disease prevention, family welfare, and immediately report the incidence of epidemics and natural calamities;(f)to impart awareness on matters of public interest such as cleanliness, preservation of the environment and prevention of pollution;(g)to promote harmony and unity among various groups of people in the area;(h)to arrange cultural festivals, sports meets, etc., to give expression to the talents of the people of the area; and(i)such other functions and duties as may be assigned to the Area Sabha by the municipality from time to time.(3)There shall be a meeting of every Area Sabha once in two months, and the business of the meeting shall be conducted in accordance with such procedure as may be prescribed in the rules by the Government Other Committees
