MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT, 1961

MATERNITY BENEFIT ACT, 1961
(No. 53 of 1961)1

[12th. December, 1961]

An Act to regulate the employment of women in certain establishment for certain period before and after child-birth and to provide for maternity benefit and certain other benefits.

Be it enacted by Parliament in the Twelfth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

1. Short title, extend and commencement. --

1. This Act may be called the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.
2. It extends to the whole of India ²[* * *]
3. It shall come into force on such date as may be notified in this behalf in the Official Gazette, --
   1. ³[in relation to mines and to any other establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances, by the Central Government, and]
   2. in relation to other establishments in s State, by the State Government.

NOTES. – This Act came into force in relation to mines in the territories to which it extends on the 1st. November 1963 – Vide S.O. No. 2920, dated 5th. October, 1963, published in the Gazette of India, Part II, Sec. 3 (ii), dated 12th. October, 1963. This Act came into force in the whole of Uttar Pradesh with effect from 22nd. February 1974, vide notification No. 512 (V)-2/36-5-13 (V) 72, dated 22nd. February 1974.

2. Application of Act. --

1. It applies in the first instance, to every establishment being a factory, mine or plantation ⁴[including any such establishment belonging to Government and to every establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatic and other performances]:

   Provided that the State Government may, with the approval of the Central Government,after giving not less than two months’ notice of its intention of so doing, by notification In the official on In the official Gazette, declare that all or any of the provisions of this Act shall apply also to any other establishment or class of establishments, industrial, commercial, agricultural or otherwise.

2. ⁵[Save as otherwise provided in ⁶[sections 5A and 5B] nothing contained in this Act]shall apply to any factory or other establishment to which the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (84 of 1948), apply for the time being.

1. Received the assent of the President on the 12th. December, 1961 and published in the Gazette of India,Extraordinary, dated 13th. December 1961. For Statement of Objects and Reasons see Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, dated 6th. December 1960.
2. Words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 51 of 1970, Sec. 2 and Sch.
3. Subs. by Act 52 of 1973, Sec. 2, w.e.f. 1-3-1975 – Vide notification No. S.O. 113A (E), dated 27-2-1975.
4. Subs. by Aci 52 of 1973, S.3.
5. Subs. by Aci 21 of 1972, S.2
6. Subs. by Act 53 of 1976, sec. 2, for “section 5A”. Act 53 of 1976 came into force w.e.f. 1-5-1976 – Vide notification No. S.O. 337 (E), dated 30-4-1976.

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3. Definitions. -- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, --

1. “appropriate Government” means in relation to an establishment being a mine ⁷[or an establishment where persons are employed for the exhibition of questrian, acrobatic and other performances], the Central Government and in relation to any other establishment, the State Government;
2. “child” includes a still-born child;
3. “delivery” means the birth of a child;
4. “employer” means –
   1. in relation to an establishment which is under the control of the Government, a person or authority appointed by the Government for the supervision and control of employees or where no person or authority is so appointed, the head of the department;
   2. in relation to an establishment which is under any local authority, the person appointed by such authority for the supervision and control of employees or where no person is so appointed, the chief executive officer of the local authority;
   3. in any other case, the person who are the authority which has the ultimate control over the affairs of the establishment and where the said affairs are entrusted to any other person whether called a manager, managing director, managing agent, or by any other name, such person;
5. ⁸[“establishment” means –
   1. a factory;
   2. a mine;
   3. a plantation;
   4. an establishment wherein persons are employed for the exhibition of equestrian, acrobatics and other performances; or
   5. an establishment to which the provisions of this Act have been declared under sub-section (4) of section 2 to be applicable;]
6. “factory” means a factory as defined in clause (m) of section 2 of the Factories Act, 1948 (63 of 1948);
7. “Inspector” means an Inspector appointed under section 14;
8. “maternity benefit” means the payment refereed to in sub-section (1) of section 5;
9. “mine” means a mine as defined in clause (j) of section 2 of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952)
10. “miscarriage” means expulsion of the contents of a pregnant uterus at ay period prior to or during the twenty-sixth week of pregnancy but does not include any miscarriage the causing of which ins punishable under the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860);
11. “plantation” means a plantation as defined in clause (f) of section 2 of the Plantations Labour Act, 1951 (69 of 1951);
12. “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under this Act;
13. “State Government” in relation to a Union territory, means the Administrator thereof;
14. “wages” means all remuneration paid or payable in cash to a woman, if the terms of the contract of employment, express or implied, were fulfilled and includes –
    1. such cash allowances (including dearness allowance and house rent allowance) as a woman is for the time being entitled to;
    2. incentive bonus; and
    3. the money value of the concessional supply of foodgrains and other articles,but does not include –
       1. any bonus other than incentive bonus;
       2. overtime earnings and any deduction or payment made on account of fines;
       3. any contribution paid or payable by the employer to any pension fund or provident fund or for the benefit of the woman under any law for the time being in force; and
       4. any gratuity payable on the termination of service;
15. “woman” means a woman employed, whether directly or through any agency, for wages in any establishment.

NOTES. –Sec 3 (f). – A factory does not include a mine subject to the operation of the Mines Act, 152, or a railway running-shed.
Sec. 3 (j) – The definition of miscarriage is similar to the definition as given in Sec. 2 (14-B) of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948.

7 Added by Act 52 of 1973, S. 4.
8 Subs. by Act 52 of 1973, S. 4.

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4. Employment of, or work by, women prohibited during certain period. --

1. No employer shall knowingly employ a woman in any establishment during the six weeks immediately following the day of her delivery or her miscarriage.
2. No woman shall work in any establishment during the six weeks immediately following the day of her delivery of her miscarriage.
3. Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6, no pregnant woman shall, on a request being made by her in this behalf, be required by her employer to do during the period specified in sub-section (4) any work which is of an arduous nature or which involves long hours of standing or which in any way is likely to interfere with her pregnancy or the normal development of the foetus, or is likely to cause her miscarriage or otherwise to adversely affect her health.
4. The period referred to in sub-section (3) shall be –
   1. at the period of one month immediately preceding the period of six weeks, before the date of her expected delivery;
   2. any period during the said period of six weeks for which the pregnant woman does not avail of leave of absence under section 6.

5. Right to payment of maternity benefit. --

1. Subject to the provisions of this Act, every woman shall be entitled to, and her employer shall be liable for, the payment of maternity benefit at the rate of the average daily wage for the period of her actual absence immediately preceding and including the day of her delivery and for the six weeks immediately following that day.

   Explanation. – For the purpose of this sub-section, the average daily wage means the average of the woman’s wages payable to her for the days on which she has worked during the period of three calendar months immediately preceding the date from which she absents herself on account of maternity, or one rupee a day, whichever is higher.

2. No woman shall be entitled to maternity benefit unless she has actually worked in an establishment of the employer from whom she claims maternity benefit for a period of not less than one hundred and sixty days in the twelve months immediately preceding the date of her expected delivery:

   Provided that the qualifying period of one hundred and sixty days aforesaid shall not apply to a woman who has immigrated into the State of Assam and was pregnant at the time of the immigration.

   Explanation: - For the purpose of calculating under this sub-section the days on which a woman has actually worked in the establishment, the days for which she has been laid-off during the period of twelve months immediately preceding the date of her expected delivery shall be taken into account.

3. The maximum period for which any woman shall be entitled to maternity benefit shall be twelve weeks, that is to say, six weeks up to and including the day of her delivery and six weeks immediately following that day:

   Provided that where a woman dies during this period, the maternity benefit shall be payable only for the days up to and including the day of her death:

Provided further that where a woman, having been delivered of a child dies during her delivery or during the period of six weeks immediately following the date of her delivery, leaving behind in either case the child, the employer shall be liable for the maternity benefit for the entire period of six weeks immediately following the day of her delivery but if the child also dies during the said period, then for the days up to and including the day of the death of the child.

NOTES. – The term “week” means a cycle of seven days including Sundays;

B. Shah V. Presiding Officer, A.I.R. 1978 S. C. 12.

⁹[5-A. Continuance of payment of maternity benefit in certain cases. -- Every woman entitled to the payment of maternity benefit under this Act shall, notwithstanding the application of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948), to the factory or other establishment in which she is employed, continue to be so entitled until she becomes qualified to claim maternity benefit under Sec. 50 of that Act.]

¹⁰[5-B. Payment of maternity benefit in certain cases. -- Every woman –

1. who is employed in a factory or other establishment to which the provisions of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948 (34 of 1948), apply;
2. whose wages (excluding remuneration for overtime work) for a month exceed the amount specified in sub-clause (b) of clause (a) of section 2 of that Act; and
3. who fulfils the conditions specified in sub-section (2) of section 5, shall be entitled to the payment of maternity benefit under this Act].

9. Ins. By Act 21 of 1972, S. 3.
10.  Ins. By Act 53 of 1976, S. 3.

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6. Notice of claim for maternity benefit and payment thereof. --

1. Any woman employed in an establishment and entitled to maternity benefit under the provisions of this Act may give notice in writing in such form as may be prescribed, to her employer,stating that her maternity benefit and any other amount to which she may be entitled under this Act may be paid to her or to such person as she may nominate in the notice and that she will not work in any establishment during the period for which she receives maternity benefit.
2. In the case of a woman who is pregnant, such notice shall state the date from which she will be absent from work, not being a date earlier than six weeks from the date of her expected delivery.
3. Any woman who has not given the notice when she was pregnant may give such notice as soon as possible after the delivery.
4. On receipt of the notice, the employer shall permit such woman to absent herself from the establishment until the expiry of six weeks after the day of her delivery.
5. The amount of maternity benefit for the period preceding the date of her expected delivery shall be paid in advance by the employer to the woman on the production of such proof as may be prescribed that the woman is pregnant, and the amount due for the subsequent period shall be paid by the employer to the woman within forty-eight hours of production of such proof as may be prescribed that the woman has been delivered of a child.
6. The failure to give notice under this section shall not disentitle a woman to maternity benefit or any other amount under this Act if she is otherwise entitled to such benefit or amount and in any such case an Inspector may either of his own motion or on an application made to him by the woman, order the payment of such benefit or amount within such period as may be specified in the order.

NOTES. – See also Sec. 50 of the Employees’ State Insurance Act, 1948, for conditions under which a woman becomes qualified to claim maternity benefit under this Act.

7. Payment or maternity benefit in case of death of a woman. -- If a woman entitled to maternity benefit or any other amount under this Act, dies before receiving such maternity benefit or amount, or where the employer is liable for maternity benefit under the second proviso to sub-section (3) of section 5, the employer shall pay such benefit or amount to the person nominated by the woman in the notice given under section 6 and in case there is no such nominee, to her legal representative.

8. Payment of medical bonus. -- Every woman entitled to maternity benefit under this Act shall also be entitled to receive from her employer a medical bonus of twenty-five rupees, if no pre-natal confinement and post-natal care is provided for by the employer free of charge.

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9. Leave for miscarriage. -- In case of miscarriage, a woman shall, on production of such proof as may be prescribed, be entitled to leave with wages at the rate of maternity benefit for a period of six weeks immediately following the day of her miscarriage.

10. Leave for illness arising out of pregnancy, delivery, premature birth of child, or miscarriage. -- A woman suffering illness arising out of pregnancy, delivery, premature birth of child or miscarriage shall, on production of such proof as may be prescribed, be entitled in addition to the period of absence allowed to her under section 6, or, as the case may be, under section 9, to leave with wages at the rate of maternity benefit for a maximum period of one month.

11. Nursing breaks. -- Every woman delivered of a child who returns to duty after such delivery shall, in addition to the interval for rest allowed to her, be allowed in the course of her daily work two breaks of the prescribed duration for nursing the child until the child attains the age of fifteen months.

12. Dismissal during absence or pregnancy. --

1. Where a woman absents herself from work in accordance with the provisions of this Act, it shall be unlawful for her employer to discharge or dismiss her during or on account of such absence or to give notice of discharge or dismissal on such a day that the notice will expire during such absence, or to vary to her disadvantage any of the conditions of her service.
2. 1. The discharge or dismissal of a woman at any time during her pregnancy, if the woman but for such discharge of dismissal would have been entitled to maternity benefit or medical bonus referred to in section 8, shall not have the effect of depriving her of the maternity benefit or medical bonus:

      Proved that where the dismissal is for any prescribed gross misconduct the employer may, by order in writing communicated to the woman, deprive her of the maternity benefit or medical bonus or both.

   2. Any woman deprived of maternity benefit or medical bonus or both may, within sixty days from the date on which the order of such deprivation is communicated to her, appeal to such authority as may be prescribed, and the decision of that authority on such appeal, whether the woman should or should not be deprived of maternity benefits or medical bonus or both, shall be final.
   3. Nothing contained in this sub-section shall affect the provisions contained in subsection (1).

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13. No deduction of wages in certain cases. -- No deduction from the normal and usual daily wages of a woman entitled to maternity benefit under the provisions of this Act shall be made by reason only of –

1. the nature of work assigned to her by virtue of the provisions contained in subsection (3) of section 4 : or
2. breaks for nursing the child allowed to her under the provisions of section 11.

14. Appointment of Inspectors. –The appropriate Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint such officers as it thinks fit to by Inspectors for the purposes of this Act and may define the local limits of the jurisdiction within which they shall exercise their function under this Act.

15. Powers and duties of Inspectors. -- An Inspector may, subject to such restrictions or conditions as may be prescribed, exercise all or any of the following powers, namely: -

1. enter at all reasonable times with such assistants, if any, being persons in the service of the Government or any local or other public authority as he thinks fit, any premises or place where women are employed or work is given to them in an establishment, for the purposes or examining any registers, records and notices required to be kept or exhibited by or under this Act and require their production for inspection;
2. examine any person whom he finds in any premises or place and who, he has reasonable cause to believe, is employed in the establishment:

   Provided that no person shall be compelled under this section to answer any question or give any evidence tending to incriminate himself:

3. require the employer to give information regarding the names and addresses of women employed, payments made to them, and applications or notices received form them under this Act; and
4. (d) take copies of any registers and records or notices or any portions thereof.

16. Inspectors to be public servants. -- Every Inspector appointed under this Act shall be deemed to be a public servant within the meaning of section 21 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

17. Power of Inspector to direct payments to be made. --

1. Any woman claiming that maternity benefit or any other amount to which she is entitled under this Act and any person claiming that payment due under section 7 has been improperly withheld, may make a complaint to the inspector.
2. The Inspector may, of his own motion or on receipt of a complaint referred to in subsection (1), make an enquiry or cause an inquiry to be made and if satisfied that payment has been wrongfully withheld, may direct the payment to be made in accordance with his orders.
3. Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Inspector under sub-section (2) may, within thirty days from the date on which such decision is communicated to such person, appeal to the prescribed authority.
4. The decision of the prescribed authority where an appeal has been preferred to it under sub-section (3) or of the Inspector where no such appeal has been preferred, shall be final.
5. Any amount payable under these sections shall be recoverable as an arrear of lane revenue.

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18. Forfeiture of maternity benefit. -- If a woman works in any establishment after she has been permitted by her employer to absent herself under the provisions of section 6 for any period during such authorized absence, he shall forfeit her claim to the maternity benefit for such period.

19. Abstracts of Act and rules thereunder to be exhibited. -- An abstract of the provisions of this Act and the rules made thereunder in the language or languages of the locality shall be exhibited I a conspicuous place by the employer in every part of the establishment in which women are employed.

20. Registers, etc. – Every employer shall prepare and maintain such registers, records and muster-rolls and in such manner as may be prescribed.

21. Penalty for contravention of Act by employers. -- If any employer contravenes the provisions of this Act or the rules made thereunder he shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, or with both; and where the contravention is of any provision regarding maternity benefit or regarding payment of any other amount and such maternity benefit or amount has not already been recovered, the court shall in addition recover such maternity benefit or amount as if it were a fine, and pay the same to the person entitled thereto.

22. Penalty for obstructing Inspector. -- Whoever fails to produce on demand by the Inspector any register or document in his custody kept in pursuance of this Act or the rules made thereunder or conceals or prevents any person from appearing before or being examined by an Inspector, shall be punishable with imprisonment which ma extend to three months, or with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees or with both.

23. Cognizance of offences. --

1. No prosecution for an offence punishable under this Act or any rule made thereunder shall be instituted after the expiry of one year from the date on which the offence is alleged to have been committed and no such prosecution shall be instituted except by, or with the previous sanction of, the Inspector; Provided that in computing the period of one year aforesaid, the time, if any, taken for the purpose of obtaining such previous sanction shall be excluded.
2. No court inferior to that of a Presidency Magistrate or a Magistrate of the First Class shall try any such offence.

NOTES. – Sections 21 to 23 deal with penalties under the Act and procedure to try offences committed under this Act.

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24. Protection of action taken in good faith. -- No suit, prosecution or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of this Act or of any rule or order made thereunder.

25. Power of Central Government to give directions. -- The Central Government may give such directions as it may deem necessary to a State Government regarding the carrying into execution the provisions of this Act and the State Government shall comply with such directions.

26. Power to exempt establishments. -- If the appropriate Government is satisfied that having regard to an establishment or a class of establishments providing for the grant of benefit which are not less favourable than those provided in this Act, it is necessary so to do, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt subject to such conditions and restrictions, if any, as may be specified in the notifications, the establishment or class of establishments from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act or of any rule made thereunder.

27. Effect of laws and agreements inconsistent with this Act. --

1. The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law or in the terms of any award, agreement or contract of service, whether made before or after the coming into force of this Act:

   Provided that where under any such award, agreement, contract of service or otherwise, a woman is entitled to benefits in respect of any matter which are more favourable to her than those to which she would be entitled under this Act, the woman shall continue to be entitled to the more favourable benefits in respect of that matter, notwithstanding that she is entitled to receive benefit in respect of other matters under this Act.

2. Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to preclude a woman from entering into an agreement with her employer for granting her rights or privileges in respect of any matter, which are more favourable to her than those to which she would be entitled under this Act.

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28. Power to make rules. --

1. The appropriate Government may, subject to the condition of previous publication and by notification in the Official Gazette, make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.
2. In particular, and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for –
   1. the preparation and maintenance of registers, records and muster rolls;
   2. the exercise of powers (including the inspection of establishments) and the performance of duties by Inspectors for the purposes of this Act;
   3. the method of payment of maternity benefit and other benefits under this Act in so far as provision has not been made therefore in this Act;
   4. the form of notices under section 6:
   5. the nature of proof required under the provisions of this Act;
   6. the duration of nursing breaks referred to in section 11;
   7. acts which may constitute gross misconduct for purposes of section 12;
   8. the authority to which an appeal under clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 12 shall lie, the form and manner in which such appeal may be made and the procedure to be followed in disposal thereof;
   9. the authority to which an appeal shall lie against the decision of the Inspector under section 17; the form and manner in which such appeal may be made and the procedure to be followed in disposal thereof;
   10. the form and manner in which complaints be made to Inspectors under subsection (1) of section 17 and the procedure to be followed by them when making inquiries or causing inquiries to be made under sub-section (2) of that section;
   11. any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
3. Every rule made by the Central Government under this section shall be laid as soon as may be after it is made, before each House of Parliament while it is in session for a total period of thirty days which may be comprised in one session ¹¹[or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session immediately following the session or the successive session, aforesaid,] both Houses agree in making any modification in the rule or both houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that rule.

29. Amendment of Act 69 of 1951. -- In section 32 of Plantation Labour Act, 1951, --

1. in sub-section (1), the letter and brackets “(a)” before the words “in the case of sickness,” the word “and” after the words “sickness allowance”, and clause (b) shall be omitted.
2. In sub-section (2), the words “or maternity” shall be omitted.

30. Repeal. -- On the application of this Act. –

1. to mines, the Mines Maternity Benefit Act, 1941 (19 of 1941); and Maternity Benefit Act, 1929 (Bom. Act VII of 1929), as in force in that territory, shall stand repealed.

11. Subs. by Act 52 of 1973, S. 5.

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Importance of Grama Sabha and It's Challenges

గ్రామసభ

ఏ దేశములో గాని ప్రభుత్వం ప్రజా సంక్షేమం కోసం ప్రజల వద్ద నుండి పన్నుల రూపేణ నిధులు సమకూర్చు కొంటుంది. అంటె ప్రభుత్వం ప్రజల వద్ద నుండి పన్నుల ద్వార వసూలు చేయబడిన నిధులతోనే ప్రజల మౌళిక వసతులకు సంబంధించిన అవసరాలు తీర్చడానికి మరియు ఇతర సంక్షేమ పథకాలు అమలు చేయడానికి ఖర్చు పెడుతుంది. సమ సమాజ స్థాపనే లక్ష్యంగా ప్రతి ప్రభుత్వం పనిచేయాలి. కాని స్వాతంత్య్రము వచ్చినప్పటినుండి సమ సమాజ స్థాపన జరగక పోగా పేదరికానికి ధనిక వర్గానికి మద్య వ్యత్యాసము పెరుగుతూ పోతున్నది. దేశ సంపద ఏ కొద్దిమంది వ్యక్తుల వద్దే కేంద్రీకృతం అవుతున్నది అనేది జగమెరిగిన సత్యం. దీనికి ప్రధాన కారణము ప్రభుత్వం, పేద వర్గాల అభ్యున్నతి కొరకు ఖర్చు పెడుతున్న నిధుల గురించి పల్లె ప్రజానీకానికి ముఖ్యంగా పల్లెలో ఉంటున్న అణగారిన వర్గాల వారికి, వారి హక్కుల గురించి, ప్రభుత్వ పథకాల లో వారి అర్హత (హక్కుల) గురించి సరైన అవగాహన లేక పోవడమే ప్రధాన కారణంగా చెప్పుకోవచ్చు. అందు కొరకు ప్రజలకు సాధికారత కల్పించడానికి భారత ప్రభుత్వము 73 వ రాజ్యాంగ సవరణ తీసుకొచ్చి ప్రజలకు గల అధికారాన్ని గ్రామ సభను రాజ్యాంగములోని 243ఏ అధికరణమునందు పొందుపరచి గ్రామ సభకు రాజ్యాంగ బద్దత కల్పించింది. రాజ్యాంగ సవరణకు ముందు కూడా మన రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వము గ్రామ పంచాయతీలలో గ్రామసభ గురించిన చట్టం చేయడం జరిగింది కాని పంచాయతీల పాలన కొరకు గ్రామసభ అని దానిని నిర్వహించవలసిన బాద్యత గ్రామపంచాయతీలదని ప్రజలు ఇంతకు ముందు అనుకునేవారు. కాని గ్రామసభలో ప్రజల బాధ్యత ఉందని దానిలో స్థానిక ప్రభుత్వము అయిన గ్రామ పంచాయతీల పని తీరును ప్రశ్నించవచ్చని ఏనాడు ప్రజలు అనుకోలేదు, కాబట్టి ప్రజలకు ఉన్న అధికారము వారికి తెలిసి రాలేదు. దాని ఉద్దేశము అప్పుడు, ఇప్పుడు కూడా పరిపాలన లో పారదర్శకత పెంపొందించడానికి, మరియు ప్రజలకు సాధికారత కల్పించడానికి ఉద్దేశించినది. కాని ప్రజలు మాత్రం గ్రామసభ నిర్వహించడం అనేది పంచాయతీకి సంబంధించినది అని మరియు ప్రభుత్వం వేరు ప్రజలు వేరు అని ఇంత వరకు అనుకుంటున్నారు మరియు ఇప్పటికీ కూడా చాలా మంది అదే భావనలో ఉన్నారు. రాజ్యాంగం ప్రకారము ప్రజా ప్రభుత్వములో ప్రజలే పాలకులని వారికేది కావాలో వారే నిర్ణయించుకునే అధికారము వారి కుందని చాలా కొద్దిమందికి మాత్రమే తెలుసు. ప్రజా ప్రతినిధులను ఎన్నుకోవడం అంటె వారికి (ప్రజలకు) బదులుగా పరిపాలించడానికి, ఇంకొకరికి ప్రజలు ఓటు ద్వార అధికారము కట్టబెడుతున్నారు. ఓటు ద్వార ఆ అధికారము పొందిన వారు, ముఖ్యంగా స్థానిక ప్రభుత్వ ప్రజా ప్రతినిధిగా గెలిచి స్థానిక ప్రభుత్వ అధికార పగ్గాలు చేపట్టిన వారు తమ ఆలోచనలకు, ఆశయాలకు అనుగుణంగా పనిచేస్తున్నారా లేదా అని, పర్యవేక్షించే బాధ్యతను ప్రజలు మరిచి పోతున్నారు. ఆ పర్యవేక్షణకు సంబంధించిన ఏకైక అవకాశము గల వేదికే గ్రామసభ. అలాంటి గ్రామసభ కు గల అధికారాలు, దానిలో ఎవరు ఏ అంశాలకు బాధ్యులు అనే విషయాలను రాజ్యాంగ పరంగా సంక్రమించిన అధికారములు మరియు తెలంగాణ పంచాయతీ రాజ్‌ చట్టం, 2018 ద్వార సంక్రమించిన అధికారాల గురించి ప్రజా ప్రతినిధులకు, ప్రజలకు మరియు గ్రామస్థాయిలో పని చేస్తున్న ప్రభుత్వ ఉద్యోగులకు తెలియజేయాలనేదే ఈ వ్యాసం యొక్క ముఖ్య ఉద్దేశ్యము.

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రాజ్యాంగములో గ్రామసభ: భారత రాజ్యాంగములోని 243 ఎ అధికరణము ప్రకారము రాష్ట్ర శాసనసభ చట్టము ద్వార గ్రామస్థాయిలో తగిన అధికారాలను, విధులను నిర్వహించుటకు తగిన అధికారాలను గ్రామసభకు దఖలు పర్చాలని భారత రాజ్యాంగము చెపుతోంది.

రాజ్యాంగములోని అధికరణమునకు అనుసరించి మన రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వం తెలంగాణ పంచాయతీరాజ్‌ చట్టం 2018 సెక్షను 6 ద్వార తగిన అధికారాలను గ్రామసభకు కల్పించింది. దీని నే ఇంకో విధంగా చెప్పాలి అంటె గ్రామస్థాయిలోని ప్రభుత్వము పనితీరును మరియు ఆ స్థాయిలో పనిచేయు ప్రభుత్వ ఉద్యోగుల పనితీరును సమీక్షించు అధికారము ప్రజలకు ఇవ్వబడినది. ఇది తెలియని ప్రజలు గ్రామ సభకు హాజరు కాకుండా వారికున్న అదికారమును కోల్పోతున్నారు.

గ్రామ స్వరాజ్ కోసం గాంధీజీ దార్శనికత:

• గ్రామాలు స్వయం సమృద్ధి సాధించే దిశగా తమ ఆహారాన్ని తామే పండించుకునే స్థితి లోకి రావాలి. మరియు తమ వస్త్రాన్ని తామే ఉత్పత్తి చేసుకోగల సామర్థ్యాన్ని సాధించాలి.
• ప్రాథమిక కోర్సు వరకు విద్య తప్పనిసరి చేయాలి.
• గ్రామ సమాజం అహింస మరియు సత్యాగ్రహాన్ని అనుసరించాలి.
• చాలా కార్యకలాపాలు సహకార ప్రాతిపదికన నిర్వహించబడాలి.
• గ్రామాలకు ప్రాథమిక ఆరోగ్య సంరక్షణ మరియు పునరుత్పత్తి, పిల్లల ఆరోగ్య సౌకర్యాలు ప్రజలకు అందుబాటులో ఉండాలి.
• గ్రామాలలో చురుకైన గ్రామసభలు, మహిళా స్వయం సహాయక బృందాలు మరియు యువజన సంఘాలు ఉండాలి.

జయప్రకాష్ నారాయణ్ అభిప్రాయం ప్రకారం

• “గ్రామసభ అంటే ప్రత్యక్ష ప్రభుత్వం మరియు ప్రత్యక్ష ప్రజాస్వామ్యంతో కూడిన గ్రామ ప్రజాస్వామ్యం. పంచాయతీ మరియు గ్రామసభ మధ్య సంబంధం మంత్రి వర్గము మరియు శాసన సభ సంబంధంలా ఉండాలి.

గ్రామసభ ప్రాముఖ్యత

• గ్రామసభ పంచాయతీరాజ్ వ్యవస్థలో అతి ముఖ్యమైన సంస్థ.
• గ్రామాభివృద్ధికి వ్యూహాలను రూపొందించడం, పాలక నిబంధనల అమలుకు ఇది బాధ్యత వహిస్తుంది.
• ఇది గ్రామ ప్రజల ప్రాథమిక సౌకర్యాలను కూడా చూసుకుంటుంది.
• ఇది గ్రామంలోని సామాజిక ఆస్తులకు సంరక్షకుడిగా కూడా ఉంటుంది.
• విద్య, శాంతిభద్రతలు, ప్రాథమిక ఆరోగ్య సేవలు గ్రామసభ యొక్క ఇతర బాధ్యతలు.
• ఇది గ్రామ పంచాయతీ తీసుకున్న తప్పుడు నిర్ణయాలను కూడా తనిఖీ చేస్తుంది.
• ఇది ఎన్నికైన ప్రతినిధులపై నిఘా ఉంచుతుంది మరియు వారిని ఎన్నుకున్న వ్యక్తులకు వారిని జవాబుదారీగా చేస్తుంది.
• గ్రామసభ సమావేశాలకు హాజరు కావడం అందరి సభ్యులకు ముఖ్యం ఎందుకంటే సమావేశాలలో చర్చించబడిన వివిధ ప్రణాళికల కార్యకలాపాలలో పాల్గొనడానికి ఇది ఏకైక మార్గం.
• గ్రామసభ సభ్యులు వేర్వేరు ప్రాంతాలకు ప్రాతినిధ్యం వహిస్తారు. కాబట్టి, వారు తమ స్థానిక సమస్యలను మరియు అభివృద్ధి కార్యక్రమాలను సమావేశాలలో ఉంచడం చాలా ముఖ్యం.
• ఎవరైనా గ్రామ సభా సమావేశాలకు గైర్హాజరైతే, వారి ఆసక్తులు విస్మరించబడవచ్చు.
• పారదర్శకతను ప్రోత్సహిస్తుంది
• జవాబుదారీతనాన్ని ప్రోత్సహిస్తుంది
• ప్రజా భాగస్వామ్యాన్ని ప్రోత్సహిస్తుంది
• సామాజిక సంక్షేమాన్ని ప్రోత్సహిస్తుంది
• సమానత్వాన్ని ప్రోత్సహిస్తుంది
• స్థానిక ప్రభుత్వ వ్యవస్థలో ఇది ఏకైక శాశ్వత యూనిట్
• చిన్న గ్రామాలలో కూడా గ్రామ సభలు జరుగుతాయి
• గ్రామ పంచాయతీలో గ్రామసభ అనేది స్థూల స్థాయి ప్రజాస్వామ్య వ్యవస్థ.
• గ్రామ పంచాయతీ పనితీరును పర్యవేక్షిస్తుంది,
• గ్రామ పంచాయతీకి సలహా సహకారాలను అందిస్తుంది,
• అభివృద్ధి కార్యక్రమాల కోసం లబ్ధిదారులను ఎంపిక చేస్తుంది మరియు సామాజిక తనిఖీలను నిర్వహిస్తుంది.
• వికేంద్రీకృత ప్రణాళికను కలిగి ఉండటం వలన
• సామాజిక న్యాయం చేయడం,
• స్థానిక స్థాయిలో సమస్యలను గుర్తించడం, ప్రాధాన్యతను నిర్ణయించడం
• పరిష్కారాలను కనుగొనడం,
• మరియు గ్రామీణాభివృద్ధి కార్యక్రమాలు అమలు చేయడం.

Contd. Page.3

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గ్రామసభ సమావేశాలకు సవాళ్ళు

గ్రామసభ సమావేశాలకు సవాళ్లలో తక్కువ అవగాహన మరియు భాగస్వామ్యం, స్పష్టమైన అజెండాలు మరియు సరైన నిర్మాణం లేకపోవడం, రాజకీయ జోక్యం మరియు తగినంత వనరులు లేకపోవడం, చివరికి ఈ కీలకమైన స్థానిక పాలనా సంస్థల ప్రభావవంతమైన పనితీరుకు ఆటంకం కలిగిస్తాయి.

సవాళ్ల యొక్క మరింత వివరణాత్మక వివరణ:

1. తక్కువ అవగాహన మరియు భాగస్వామ్యం:
   • అవగాహన లేకపోవడం: చాలా మంది గ్రామస్తులకు గ్రామసభ సమావేశాల ప్రాముఖ్యత మరియు విధుల గురించి తెలియదు, దీని ఫలితంగా తక్కువ హాజరు మరియు భాగస్వామ్యం ఏర్పడుతుంది.
   • తక్కువ హాజరు: ప్రజలు తెలుసుకున్నప్పటికీ, పని నిబద్ధతలు, సమయం లేకపోవడం లేదా ప్రక్రియ పట్ల ఉదాసీనత వంటి కారణాల వల్ల హాజరు తక్కువగా ఉండవచ్చు.
   • అసమాన భాగస్వామ్యం: మహిళలు మరియు అణగారిన వర్గాలు తరచుగా పాల్గొనడానికి అడ్డంకులను ఎదుర్కొంటారు, వీటిలో సామాజిక నిబంధనలు, సమాచారానికి ప్రాప్యత లేకపోవడం మరియు మాట్లాడటానికి భయం ఉన్నాయి.
2. స్పష్టమైన అజెండాలు మరియు సరైన సమాచారము లేకపోవడం:
   • తాత్కాలికవాదం: సమావేశాలు కొన్నిసార్లు స్పష్టమైన అజెండా లేదా సరైన సమాచారము లేకుండా నిర్వహించబడతాయి, దీని వలన దృష్టి మరియు దిశ లేకపోవడం జరుగుతుంది.
   • ఆచారబద్ధమైన ప్రవర్తన: కొన్ని సందర్భాల్లో, గ్రామసభ సమావేశాలను కేవలం లాంఛనాలుగా పరిగణిస్తారు, నిజమైన చర్చ లేదా నిర్ణయం తీసుకోవడం చాలా తక్కువ.
   • సమాచారం లేకపోవడం: సమావేశాలు, అజెండాలు మరియు తీర్మానాల గురించి సమాచారం ఎల్లప్పుడూ ప్రజలకు సమర్థవంతంగా వ్యాప్తి చేయబడదు.
3. రాజకీయ జోక్యం మరియు జవాబుదారీతనం లేకపోవడం:
   • రాజకీయ జోక్యం: ఉన్నత స్థాయిలో ఎన్నికైన ప్రతినిధుల జోక్యం గ్రామసభ స్వయంప్రతిపత్తిని దెబ్బతీస్తుంది మరియు ప్రజల అవసరాలను ప్రతిబింబించని నిర్ణయాలకు దారితీస్తుంది.
   • జవాబుదారీతనం లేకపోవడం: ఎన్నికైన ప్రతినిధులు మరియు పంచాయతీ అధికారులలో తరచుగా జవాబుదారీతనం లేకపోవడం ఉంటుంది, వారు గ్రామసభ తీర్మానాలను తీవ్రంగా పరిగణించకపోవచ్చు.
   • అమలు లేకపోవడం: తీర్మానాలు ఆమోదించబడినప్పటికీ, అవి ఎల్లప్పుడూ అమలు చేయబడవు, ఇది గ్రామస్తులలో నిరాశ మరియు నిష్క్రియాత్మకతకు దారితీస్తుంది.
4. వనరుల పరిమితులు:
   • నిధుల కొరత: గ్రామసభ ఆమోదించిన ప్రాజెక్టులు మరియు కార్యక్రమాలను అమలు చేయడానికి పంచాయతీలకు తరచుగా తగినంత నిధులు ఉండవు.
   • వనరుల కొరత: సిబ్బంది మరియు మౌలిక సదుపాయాలతో సహా పరిమిత వనరులు గ్రామసభ ప్రభావవంతమైన పనితీరుకు ఆటంకం కలిగిస్తాయి.
   • సమన్వయం లేకపోవడం: రాష్ట్ర మరియు కేంద్ర స్థాయిలో వివిధ పరిపాలనా సంస్థల మధ్య సమన్వయ లోపం ఉండవచ్చు, దీని వలన నిధుల విడుదలలో జాప్యం మరియు వనరుల వినియోగం తక్కువగా ఉంటుంది.

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RULES RELATING TO THE HOLDING OF MEETINGS OF THE GRAM SABHA.

¹[RULES RELATING TO THE HOLDING OF MEETINGS OF THE GRAM SABHA.]

( Panchayat Raj &smp; Rural Development (Pts-I) Department,

G.O.Ms.No.162.

Dt. 04-04-1997

As amended by:

1. G.O.Ms.No. 367, P.R & R.D (Pts-I) Dt. 28.08.1998

In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (1 ) , (3) and (4) of section 6 read with clause (xxvi) of sub-section (2) of Section 268 of the Andhra Pradesh, Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 (Act No. 13 of 1994), the Government of Andhra Pradesh hereby makes the following rules relating to the holding of meetings of the Gram Sabha.

RULES:

²[1. "Two common dates namely, the 14th April and 3rd October in a year shall be fixed for the conduct of Gram Sabha meetings. The Divisional Panchayat Officer shall prepare a common list of Officers by consulting the Mandal Parishad Development Officers and Mandal Revenue Officers in his jurisdiction and allot such Officers in his jurisdiction and allot such Officers available in the Division to attend the Gram Sabha in all Gram Panchayats. This action of the Divisional Panchayat Officer i.e., allotment of Officers should be over by the 7th of April and 25th of September in the year"]

2. The meeting shall be held at such place, within the limits of the Gram Panchayat as considered convenient and sufficient to accommodate the members of the Gram Sabha. The meetings of the Gram Sabha may be held in rotation in each of the constituent villages of the Gram Panchayats.

3. The meeting may be held at any time during the day between sunrise and sunset.

4.

1. No meeting shall be held unless notice of the place where and of the day and time when, the meeting is to be held and of the business to be transacted thereat has been given at least two clear days before the day of the meeting.
2. The notice referred to in sub-rule (1) shall be given:-
   1. by beat of drum in the village;
   2. by affixing the notice at three conspicuous places in the village;
   3. by affixing the notice on the notice board of the gram panchayat office.

5.

1. The Sarpanch shall, on a requisition in writing from not less than 50 or 10% of the members of the Gram Sabha, whichever is higher, convene a meeting of the Gram Sabha provided the requisition specifies the day, when, and the purpose for which the meeting is to be held. The requisition shall be delivered at the office of the Gram Panchayat during office hours to the Sarpanch or the Executive Officer or any other person, who may be then incharge of the office, at least five days before the day of the proposed meeting.
2. If the Sarpanch fails to call a meeting on the day specified therein, the meeting may be called by the members who signed the requisition on giving the notice provided for in rule 4.

6. All questions which may come up before such meeting shall be decided by ascertaining the consensus of the opinion of the members of the Gram Sabha present at the meeting through the speeches delivered by the members of the Gram Sabha. At the end of meeting the presiding member shall read the proceedings of the Gram Sabha and get the approval of the members. The members shall raise their hands in token of their approval.

7. The meeting of the Gram Sabha may be adjourned if the members present thereat agree to it.

8. The presiding member may, at the meeting of the Gram Sabha answer qUestions put by the members relating to the matters placed before the Gram Sabha.

9. An attendance register shall be maintained in which the presiding member shall obtain the signatures or thumb impressions, as the case may be, of all the members present at the meeting of Gram Sabha.

10. The proceedings of a meeting shall be in the principal language of the village,

11. Minutes of the proceedings of every meeting shall be drawn up and entered in a book to be kept for the purpose and shall be signed by the presiding member of the meeting. The suggestions, if any, of the meeting shall be reported by the presiding member to the Gram Panchayat at its next meeting for its due consideration.

12. In addition to the matter as listed under clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v) of sub-section(3) of Section 6, of the Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 the following matter shall be placed before the Gram Sabha under clauses (vi) of the above said provisos for its consideration, namely the village agricultural production plans ;

1. the work of village volunteer force;
2. the work of Defence Labour Banks ;
3. the utilization of land funds ;
4. the work of Co-operatives ;
5. the list of the location of the common lands in villages i.e. porambokes vesting in and other relevant particulars ;
6. the list of transfers of ownership of houses and other immovable properties;
7. a copy of the approved budget estimates of the Gram Panchayat;
8. a copy of the audit report on the accounts of the Gram Panchayat; and
9. a list of defaulters, who are in arrears of payment of taxes and fees due to Gram Panchayat.

³[13.

1. The executive authority shall maintain two bound registers one for writing meeting notice-cum-agenda and minutes and another for Attendance of the members at meeting.
2. Besides giving advance notice about the meeting and its agenda, the agenda copy shall also be distributed to all the members present in the meeting before the start of the meeting.
3. The village administrative officer may also be directed to attend the Gram Sabha meeting"]

Note.1.R.S. to Part. VII(Ext.) A.P.Gazette.
2.Subsu.by G.O.Ms.No.367(P.R.&R.D) dated.28-08-1998.
3.Rule 13 added by G.O.Ms.No.367(P.R.&R.D) dated.28-08-1998.

TS-bPASS – Approval of layouts in Gram Panchayats – Regulation of unauthorised layouts

GOVERNMENT OF TELANGANA
MUNICIPAL ADMINISTRATION & URBAN DEVELOPMEN DEPARTMENT
Memo No.7740/Plg.III/MAUD/2021 Dated: 08.06.2021

Sub: TS-bPASS – Approval of layouts in Gram Panchayats – Regulation of unauthorised layouts – Instructions issued –Reg.

Ref: TSbPASS Act / Act 12 of 2020

<<>><<>>

Government of Telangana has enacted the TS-bPASS Act, which is applicable to all municipalities and municipal corporations in the state. The Act introducesa mechanism for hassle free layout / building approval through an online system, based on self-certification and strict enforcement against unauthorized layouts.

2.  Gram Panchayats are not yet covered in TS-bPASS. It is observed that a number of unauthorized layouts are cropping up in these areas, necessitating strict regulation to prevent such unauthorized layouts. Therefore, it is considered necessary to bring layout approvals in Gram Panchayat areas also under TS-bPASS.

3.   Commissioner, Panchayat Raj shall ensure that all the new layout approvals in Gram Panchayats shall be processed through TS-bPASS only. The existing layout approval system through DPMS and E-Panchayat shall be linked to TS-bPASS immediately.

4. As per TS-bPASS Act, all layout proposals will be placed before District Layout Committee chaired by District Collector. On recommendations of District Layout Committee, the layout proceedings will be issued online in the name of Executive Officer, Gram Panchayat.

5.  District Task Force (DTF)constituted under the chairpersonship of District Collector shall take strict action on all ongoing unauthorized layouts covering both rural and urban areas of the District. In case of existing unapproved layouts,notices shall be issued to developers of such layouts to get approval or regularize their layouts under TS-bPASS within two months failing which enforcement action shall be taken as per rules.

6.  The District Collectors shall ensure that enforcement squads conduct regular inspection and take timely enforcement action against unauthorized layouts and ensure that no new unauthorized layout comes up in their jurisdiction.

7.   The Commissioner & IG Stamps and Registration shall ensure that instructions issued earlier regarding non-registration of plots in unauthorized layouts is followed scrupulously by all Sub Registrars.

8.  The Commissioner, Panchayat Raj / Director of Town & Country Planning / Commissioner & Inspector General of Stamps and Registration shall take necessary action accordingly.

SOMESH KUMAR

CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT

To
The Commissioner, Panchayat Raj, Hyderabad
The Director of Town & Country Planning, Hyderabad
The Commissioner & Inspector General, Stamps & Registration, Hyderabad
All the District Collectors
All the District Panchayat Officers
Copy to:
The Principal Secretary, MA&UD Deptt., Hyderabad
The Principal Secretary, PR&RD Deptt., Hyderabad
The CDMA, Hyderabad
OSD to Minister (MA&UD)
OSD to Minister (PR&RD)
SC/SF

//FORWARDED ::BY:: ORDER//

SECTION OFFICER

CATTLE TRESPASS (ANDHRA PRADESH EXTENSION AND AMENDMENT) ACT, 1959

CATTLE TRESPASS (ANDHRA PRADESH EXTENSION AND AMENDMENT) ACT, 1959
16 of 1959

[12th February, 1959]

CONTENTS

1. Short title, extent and commencement
2. Definitions
3. Extension of Central Act I of 1871 to transferred territories
4. Deleted
5. Deleted
6. Addition of new Section 41 in Central Act I of 1871
7. Power to remove difficulty
8. Repeal of Hyderabad Act V of 1337 F

An Act to extend the Cattle Trespass Act, 1871 to certain territories in the State of Andhra Pradesh and further toamend it in its application to that State. Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Andhra Pradesh in the Tenth Year of the Republic of India as follows :-

1. Short title, extent and commencement :-

1. This Act may be called the Cattle Trespass(Andhra Pradesh Extension and Amendment) Act, 1959.
2. It extends to the whole of the State of Andhra Pradesh.
3. This section shall come into force at once; and the rest of this Act shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by notification in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette, appoint.

2. Definitions :-In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--

1. "Andhra area" means the territories of the State of Andhra Pradesh which immediately before the 1st November, 1956, were comprised in the State of Andhra;
2. "transferred territories" means the territories specified in sub- section (1) of Section 3 of the StatesReorganisation Act, 1956 (Central Act 37 of 1956).

3. Extension of Central Act I of 1871 to transferred territories :- The Cattle Trespass Act, 1871 (Central Act I of 1871), as in force at thecommencement of this Act in the Andhra area (hereinafter referred to as 'the principal Act'), and as amended by sections 4, 5 and 6 is hereby extended to, and shall be in force in, the transferred territories.

4. :-Amendments to Sections 1 and 3 incorporated in the principal Act which is extract below

5.:-Amendments to Sections 1 and 3 incorporated in the principal Act which is extract below

6. Addition of new Section 41 in Central Act I of 1871 :- After Section 31 of the principal Act, the following section shall be added, namely:-

"32. Power to make rules:-

1. The State Government may, by notification published in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette make, rules to carry out thepurposes of this Act.
2. All rules made under this section shall, as soon as may be, after they are made, be placed on the table of the Legislative Assembly and shall be subject to such modifications, whether by way of repeal or amendment, as the Legislative Assembly may make within fourteen days thereafter during the session in which they are so placed."

7. Power to remove difficulty :-If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act or of the principal Act as extended by this Act, in their application to the transferred territories, the State Government may, by order, make such provision or give such directions as appear to them to be necessary or expedient for removing difficulty.

8. Repeal of Hyderabad Act V of 1337 F :- The Hyderabad CattleTrespass Act, 1337 F. (Hyderabad Act V of 1337 F.), is hereby repealed: Provided that such repeal shall not affect the previous operation of the said Act or any right, title, obligation or liability already acquired,accrued or incurred thereunder, and subject thereto, anything done or any action taken in the exercise of any power conferred by or under the said Act shall be deemed to have been done or taken in the exercise of the power conferred by or under the principal Act as extended by this Act, as if that Act were in force in the transferred territories on the date on which such thing was done or action was taken.