Control over Block and district panchayats

Problem: 

In the present system gram sabhas work under the middle level and district levels of panchayats. The proposals of gram panchayats are approved by the middle level panchayats. Mostly the payment of 
works carried out on the village panchayat levels are made by the middle and district level panchayats. However, there is no control of gram sabhas over the working of the middle and district levels of gram panchayats. 

Suggestion: 

•  The proposals made and decisions taken by the gram sabhas, for their village, should be final. The gram sabhas do not have to take approval from anyone on financial or administrative or any other matter. 

• The government will have to take permission to start a scheme from each of the gram sabhas that are affected by it. Also any gram Sabha can give suggestion to start a new scheme to its block or district panchayat. In general a plan should be implemented by the government only when it has been approved by all the affected gram sabhas in that area. 

• Role of Sarpanch of a village is merely to act like a bridge between gram Sabha and the block panchayat. Before making any commitment to the district panchayat the sarpanch will have to consult and take permission from the gram Sabha. In the same way the block sarpanch is a bridge between block panchayat and the district panchayat. He too will have to take the permission from the affected block panchayats before making any commitment to the district panchayat. Gram Sabha, if so desires, can give the option to the sarpanch of not taking permission from the gram Sabha on certain matters. This option should be to a limited extent only.