| Authors | DR. MANJULA R |
|---|---|
| Article Type | Research Article |
| Language | English |
| Journal | North Asian International Research Journal of Multidisciplinary |
| ISSN | 2454-2326 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 61-66 |
| Publication Year | 2026 |
| Publication Date | February 01, 2026 |
| DOI URL | https://doiglobal.org/10.2026/NAIRJCMD.039 |
Article 243A of the Constitution leaves the powers of the gram sabha to state law, and Karnataka has used that freedom to build a layered system of village assemblies. This study draws on the Karnataka Gram Swaraj and Panchayat Raj Act, 1993, circulars of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, reports of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and field studies by research institutions to assess how far these assemblies deliver grassroots democracy. It finds that Karnataka's legal design and record-keeping are strong, and the state ranks first in the national Devolution Index on accountability measures including gram sabhas. Participation, however, remains low and uneven. Fewer than one in five households attend ward sabhas, wage labourers and female-headed households are least likely to take part, and meetings often record decisions without real discussion. Children's gram sabhas and social audits show what responsive assemblies can achieve. The paper suggests livelihood-sensitive scheduling, published action-taken reports and stronger ward-level mobilisation.
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DOI: 10.2026/NAIRJCMD.039
Journal:
North Asian International Research Journal of Multidisciplinary
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