A Gram Sabha is the primary body of the Panchayati Raj system in India. It is essentially a village assembly consisting of all the registered voters of a village or a group of villages.

Key aspects of a Gram Sabha include:

• Composition: It comprises all adult residents of the village who are registered voters.
• Role: It plays a crucial role in local self-governance.
• Functions:
  • Approving village development plans
  • Budget allocation
  • Monitoring the work of the Gram Panchayat
  • Ensuring accountability
  • Promoting transparency in local governance.
• Importance: It empowers villagers to participate directly in decision-making and ensures that development projects meet the actual needs of the community.

For more detailed information, you can refer to:

• Puducherry Government's Handbook
• India.gov.in on Gram Swaraj