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The 73rd Amendment mandates Gram Sabha (village assembly) as the foundation of Panchayati Raj, with powers to approve plans, budgets, and beneficiary selection for schemes, ensuring participatory democracy at grassroots.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Gram Sabha powers under 73rd Amendment: (a) Constitutional basis: Article 243A mandates Gram Sabha (village assembly of all adult members) as foundation of Panchayati Raj, (b) Powers/functions: (i) Approve Panchayat plans, programs, budgets for economic development, social justice, (ii) Select beneficiaries for welfare schemes (MGNREGA, PMAY, NFSA) through public verification, (iii) Social audit: Verify muster rolls, expenditure, implementation of schemes, (iv) Mobilize voluntary labor, contributions for community works, (c) Applications: (i) MGNREGA: Gram Sabha approves shelf of projects, selects beneficiaries, conducts social audit, (ii) Local planning: Gram Sabha identifies priorities (water, roads, sanitation) for Panchayat plans, (iii) Accountability: Public verification reduces corruption, ensures schemes reach intended beneficiaries, (d) Challenges: (i) Participation: Ensuring inclusive participation of women, SC/ST, marginalized groups in Gram Sabha, (ii) Capacity: Gram Sabha members need awareness, training on planning, financial management, (iii) Follow-up: Ensuring Gram Sabha decisions implemented by Panchayat, officials, (e) Illustrates participatory federalism: Gram Sabha operationalizes grassroots democracy; constitutional mandate enables citizen participation in planning, implementation, accountability at village level.