Panchkula Municipal Corporation Finally Implements Area Sabha System After 16-Year Delay
In a significant move to revitalize local governance, the Municipal Corporation (MC) of Panchkula has issued formal orders to constitute area sabhas in every ward of the city. This action comes nearly two decades after the Haryana Municipal Citizens' Participation Act of 2008 was enacted, marking a long-awaited step towards decentralizing civic administration and empowering residents.
Objectives and Functions of the New Area Sabhas
According to the official order, the primary goal of establishing area sabhas is to enhance public participation in development initiatives and improve the delivery of government schemes at the grassroots level. These sabhas are designed to bridge the gap between citizens and municipal authorities, ensuring that local needs are addressed more effectively.
The duties of the area sabhas, as defined under Section 8 of the Act, are comprehensive and include:
- Preparing detailed development proposals for their respective wards.
- Prioritizing schemes and forwarding them to the civic body for approval and implementation.
- Identifying eligible beneficiaries for various welfare schemes to ensure equitable distribution.
- Suggesting optimal locations for essential civic amenities such as streetlights, water taps, and sanitation units.
- Flagging gaps and deficiencies in the city's existing civic infrastructure to prompt timely repairs and upgrades.
Broader Responsibilities and Public Health Role
Beyond infrastructure and development, the area sabhas will play a crucial role in supporting public health efforts. Their responsibilities in this domain include:
- Reporting disease outbreaks or natural calamities to authorities for swift action.
- Mobilizing voluntary labour for community clean-up drives and other civic activities.
- Assisting in tax mapping and raising awareness about municipal taxes and user charges to improve compliance and revenue collection.
Governance Structure and Meeting Protocols
The Act outlines a clear governance framework for these sabhas. The councillor of each ward will chair the ward committee, providing political oversight and leadership. The MC commissioner or an authorized representative may participate in discussions to ensure alignment with broader municipal policies.
Departmental representatives from relevant sectors may be invited to meetings when issues concerning their work are on the agenda, facilitating inter-departmental coordination. The sanitary inspector, or another nominated official, will serve as secretary, responsible for maintaining accurate records of all proceedings.
To ensure regular engagement, ward committees are mandated to meet at least once every quarter, with a quorum requirement of two-thirds attendance to validate decisions.
Community Response and Future Expectations
Rakesh Aggarwal of Vikas Manch Panchkula welcomed the move, emphasizing its potential to transform local governance. He urged the civic body to actively publicize the mechanism to ensure widespread resident participation and maximize the benefits of this initiative.
This implementation is seen as a pivotal step towards making Panchkula's municipal administration more transparent, responsive, and inclusive, setting a precedent for other cities in Haryana to follow.
