Section 18

Section 18 of the Assam Panchayat Act, 1994. The Quorum for a meeting of the Gaon Panchayat shall Quorum and be one third of the total number of members.

(1) The Quorum for a meeting of the Gaon Panchayat shall Quorum and be one third of the total number of members. Procedure.

(2) If at the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the presiding authority shall wait for thrity minutes, and if within such period there is no quorum, the presiding authority shall adjourn the meeting to such time on the following day or such future date as he may fix but not beyond fifteen days from the date of the adjourned meeting. However, the adjourned meeting shall require no quorum.

(3) The business which could not be considered at the meeting so adjourned for want of quorum, shall be brought before and disposed of at the meeting so fixed. THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, MAY 6, 1994 (4) Save as otherwise provided by or under this Act, at every meeting of Gaon Panchayat, the President or in his absence the Vice-President shall preside.

(5) The voting, in any meeting of Gaon Panchayat, if required, shall be by raising of hands, except in the meeting where no-confide. nce motion is discussed where the matter will be decided by secret ballot.

(6) All questions shall, unless otherwise specifically provided, be decid ed by a majority of votes of the members present. The President/Vice-President presiding, as the case may be, unless he refrains from voting, shall give his vote before declaring the number of votes for and against a question and in the case of equality of votes, he may give his casting vote.

(7) No member of a Gaon Panehavat shall vote on, or take part in the discussion of, any question coming up for consideration at a meeting of Gaon Panchayat, if the question is one in which apart from its general application to the public, he has any pecuniary interest, and if the person presiding was such an interest, he shall not preside over the meeting when such question comes up for consideration.

(8) If the person presi ing is believed by any member present at the meeting to have any sucu pecuniary interest in any matter under discussion, and i: a motion to that effect be carried, he shall sot preside at the meeting during such discussion or vote on or take part in it. Any member of the Gaon Panchayat may be chosen to preside at the meeting during its continuance of such discussion. Functions of 19. Subject to such conditions as may be specified by the Govern- Gaon Pan- ment from time to time, the Gion Panchayat shall perform the chayat. functions specified below :- 1. GENERAL FUNCTION (1) Preparation of Annual Plans for the development of the Gaon Panchayat area.

(2) Preparation of Annual Budget of Gaon Panchayat.

(3) Mobilisation of reliefs in natural calamities.

(4) Removal of encroachments on public propertiea.

(5) Organising voluntary labours and contribution for community works.

(6) Maintenance of essential statistics of villages. THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, MAY 6, 1994 IL AGRICULTURE INCLUDING AGRICULTURE EXTENSION (1) Identification and implementation of various Agricultural Schemes amounting not exceeding rupees fifty thousand for agricultural development in the Gaon Panchayat Area with technical assistance from Agriculture, Co-operation, Irrigation and other concerned departments.

(2) Development of waste lands.

(3) Development and maintenance of village grazing lands anda preventing their unauthor sed alienation and use. III. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRY DEVELOPMENT POULTRY: AND (1) Improvement of breed of cattle, poultry and other livestock.

(2) Promotion of dairy farming, poultry and piggery.

(3) Grassland development. IV. FISHERIES:

(1) Development of fisheries in the villages. V. SOCIAL AND FARM FORESTRY/MINOR FOREST PRODUCE, FUEL AND FODDER :

(1) Planting and preservation of trees on the sides of roads and other public land under its control.

(2) Plantation of firewood trees and fodder development, (3) Promotion of farm forestry.

(4) Development of social forestry. edi lo tro VI. KHADI, VILLAGE AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES:

(1) Promotion of rural and cottage industries.

(2) Organisation of awareness camps, seminar and training programme, agriculturel and industrial exhibition for the benefit of the rural people. VII. RURAL HOUSING: teammoo (1) Distribution of house sites Within its jurisdiction.

(2) Maintenance of records relating to the houses, site and other private/public properties. ACe! THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY. MAY. 6, 1994 MOIVIII, DRINKING WATER: VIX (1) Construction, repairs and maintenance of drinking water wells, tanks and ponds and tube-wells.

(2) Prevention and control of water pollution.

(3) Maintenance of rural water supply scheme. IX. ROADS, BUILDINGS. CULVERTS, BRIDGES, FERRIES, WATERWAYS AND OTHER MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.

(1) Construction and maintenance of village roads, drains and culverts. elevites) (2) Maintenance of buildings under its control or transferred to it by the Government or any public authority. Я VX Isisod bat (3) Maintenance of boats, ferries and water ways, X. RURAL ELECTRIFICATION: zodio bas allowIncluding identification of locality for distribution of electricity, providing for and maintenance of lighting of public streets and other places, zbauorg Ished bya XI. NON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES: bilda (1) Promotion and development of non-conventional energy sources.

(2) Maintenance of community non-conventional .21602 including bio-gas plants. c její energy device; : 3 (3 Propagation of improvedA chulhas and other efficient energy devices. (I) XII. POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMME: 20 S (1) Promotion of public awareness and participation in implemen- boot sidadantation of poverty alleviation programme for fuller employment and creation of productive assets for the community. loit16 .cobanlobby (2) Selection of beneficiaries under various programmes including IRDP through Gaon Sabha. con deild na (3) Participation in effective implementation of various schemes and monitorin : thereef.ob .asbid bne amble XIII. EDUCATION INCLUDING PRIMARY SCHOOLS : .250871 to notislugsA (1) Promotion of public awareness and participation in Primary and Secondary EducationITHO TA MIEM (2) Ensuring ull enrolment and attendance in Primary Schools oistlow blido brand its mar agement including the attendance of the Primary School teachers. THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, MAY. 6, 1994 XIV. ADULT AND NON-FORMAL EDUCATION allow zelaw (1) Promotion of adult literacy. XV. LIBRARISE :

(1) Organisation of village library and reading rooms. XVI. CULTURAL ACTIVITIES : MOITAOMMUN (1) Promotion of social and cultural activities. XVII. MARKETS AND FAIRS :

(1) Regulation of fairs including cattle fairs and festivals. XVIII. RURAL SANITATION :

(1) Maintenance of general sanitation, cremation and burial grounds. -onq .Viisiztools (2) Clearing of public roads, drains, tanks, ponds, wells and other zedto boa public places.

(3) Maintenance and regulation of burning and burial grounds.

(4) Construction and maintenance of public latrines. ssivsb (5) Disposal of unclaimed corposes and carcasses. code -motorolamit ni dois (6) Management and control of washing and bathing ghats. XIX. PUBLIC HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE :

(1) Implementation of family welfare programme.

(2) Prevention and remedial measures against epidemics. -8975 DA:

(3) Regulation of sale of meat, fish and other perishable food articles. gribubont (4) Participation in programmes of human and animal vaccination.

(5) Licensing of eating and entertainment establishment.

(6) Destruction of stray dogs. : 2300H (7) Regulation of curing, tanning and dyeing of skins and hides. Regulation of offensive and dangerous trades. alosd 2 loodo? XX. WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT :

(1) Participation in the implementation of women and child welfare programme. THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY MAY. 6, 1994 (2) Promotion of school health and nutrition programme. XXI. SOCIAL WELFARE INCLUDING WELFARE OF HANDI- CAPPED AND MENTALLY RETARDED :

(1) Participation in the implementation of the social welfare programme, including welfare of the handicapped, mentally retarded and destitutes and distribution of foodstuff on Social welfare programmes .

(2) Selection of beneficiaries and monitoring of the old age and widows pension schemes. XXII. WELFARE OF THE WEAKER SECTIONS AND IN PARTICULAR THE SCHEDULED CASTES AND SCHEDULED TRIBES :

(1) Promotion of public awareness with regard to welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and other weaker sections.

(2) Participation in the implementation of the specific progra. mmes for the welfare of the weaker section. XXIII. PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM :

(1) Promotion of public awareness with regard to the distribution of essential commodities.

(2) Monitoring the public distribution system including keeping sharp vigilance to ensure full and equitable distribution of essential commodities allotted by the State Government. XXIV. MAINTENANCE OF COMMUNITY ASSETS :

(1) Maintenance of Community Assets.

(2) Preservation and maintenance of other Community Assets. XXV. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF DHARAM- SALAS AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS. XXVI. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF CATTLE SHEDS POUNDS AND CART STANDS. XXVII. MAINTENANCE OF PUBLIC PARKS AND PLAY GROUNDS. XXVIII. CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF SLAU- GHTER HOUSES. XXIX. MAINTENANCE AND REGULATION OF MANURE. XXX. SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS MAY BE ENTRUSTED FROM TIME TO TIME BY ORDER OF THE GOVT. IN THE DEPTT. OF PANCHAYAT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT. + THE ASSAM GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, MAY. 6, Assignment 20.

(1) The Government may, by notification and subject to such of functions. conditions as may be specified therein, -IMMAH (a) -030 transfer Gaon Panchayat the management and maintenance of a forest situated in the Panchayat area ; bna (b) make over to the Gaon Panchayat the management of waste lands, pasture lands or vacant lands belonging to the Government situated within the Panchayat area : bas (c) Provided that when any transfer of the management and maintenance of a forest is made under clanse (a), the Government shall direct that any amount required for such management and maintenance or an adequate portion of income from such forest be placed at the disposal of the Gaon Panchayat. 16 (2) The Government may, by notification modify any functions assigned in this Section. General 21. A Gaon Panchayat shall have powers to do all acts necessary powers of for or incidental to the carrying out of the functions entrusted, assigned Gaon Pan- or delegated to it and, in particular, and without prejudice to the chayats. foregoing powers, to exercise all powers specified in this Act. -udineib Stand i n g 22.

(1) Every Gaen Fanchayat shall constitute the following Stan- Committees, ding Committees by election from amongst the elected members of the Gaen Panchayat- (i) Development committee for performing functions relating to agricultural production, animal husbandry and rural industries and poverty alleviation programmes, (ii) Social justice committee for performing functions relating to :- (a) promotion of educational, economic, social, cultural and other interests of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribss and Backward Classes ; HATTAO (b) protection of such castes and classes from social injustice and any form of exploitations ; YAJq CINA(C) welfare of women and children. UAJ8 90 (iii) Social welfare committee to perform functions in respect of education, public health, public works and other functions of the Gaon Panchayat. BAU/A) a Each committee shall consists of not less than three or more than four members including the President or the Vice-President, TVOD as the case may be. The President of the Gaon Panchayat shall be JANUS Ex-Officio meluber and Chairman of all the three committees : THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, MAY 6 1994 Provided that the social justice committee hall consist of one member who is a woman and one member belonging to Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribes as the case may be. Dnia 816W92 -978d3 batosp (b) The Gaon Panchayat shall be competent to co-opt to each committee, the members of Agriculture Field Management Committee, Mahila Sawittee, Yubak Samittee and other similar bodies recognised by the Government. Such co-oplion should be decided by the Gaon Panchayat by resolution with majority support.

(c) A re-presentative of Co-operative Socities in the Panchayat area shall be co-opted to the Development Committee : 10 Debind Provided that the co-outed members sball have the right to take part in the deliberation but shall have no right to vote. GOS (3) The Standing Committees shall perform the functions referred to above, to the extent the powers are delegated to them by the Gaon Panchayat. Property 23.

(1) A Gaon Panchayat shall have powers to acquire, hold and & fund dispose of property and to enter into contract : of Gaon Panchayat.

Provided that in all cases of acquisition or disposal ef immovable property by the Gaon Panchayat, it shall obtain the approval of the Government.

(2) All properties, within the losal limit of the jurisdiction of Gaon Panchayat, of the nature hereinafter in this section specified, other than property maintained by the central er State Government or a local authority or any other Gaon Panchayat, shall vest in and belong batusinto the Gaon Panchayat, and shall, with all other properties of whatsoever nature or kind it may become vested in the Gaon Panchayat, be under its direction, management and control, that is to say- (a) all common properties; badafreq (b) all public streets, including the soil, stones and other material thereof and all drains, bridges, culverts, trees, erection, materials implements and other things provided for such streets;

(c) All public channels, water courses, springs, tanks, ghats, reservoirs, wells, pipes. pumps and other water works whether made, laid or erected at the cost of the Gaon Panchayat or otherwise, and all bridges, buildings, engine, works, materials connect ed therewith Or pertaining therete and also any adjacent land (not being private property) pertaining to any public tank :

Provided that water pipes and water works connected there with or pertaining thereto which with the consent of the Gaon Panchayat are laid or setup in any street by the owner of any mill, factory, workshop or the like, primarily for the use of their employees shall not be deemed to be public water works by reason of their use by the public. THE ASSAM GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY, MAY. 6, 1994 5 (d) all sewage, rubbish and offensive matter deposited on streets or collected by the Gaon Panchayat from streets, latrines, urinals, sewers and other places ;

(e) all public lamps, Lamp posts and apparatus connected therewith or pertaining thereto; and (f) all buildings erected by the Gaon Panchayats and all lands and buildings or the property transferred to the Gaon Panchayat by the Central or the State Government of acquired by gift, purchase or otherwise for local public purposes.

(3) The State Government may, exclude any street, bridge or drain from the operation of this Act or of any specified section of this Act :

Provided that construction and maintenance of such items are done by other agency/Government from resources other than Gaon Panchayat fund :

Provided further that if the cost of the construction of the work had been paid from the Gaon Panchayat fund, such Werk shall net be excluded from the operation of this Act or any special section of this Act except after consideration of the views of the Gaon Panchayat at a meeting.

(4) The Government may allocate to a Gaon Panchayat any public property situated within its local jurisdictions, and thereupon such property shall vest in and come under the control of the Gaon Panchayat.

Section 18, The Assam Panchayat Act, 1994 (Act 18 of 1994).