The Assam Panchayat Act, 1994

594 THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, MA7 6, 1994............... ......................* ________________  ____ ___  _ ___
ASSAM ACT NO XVIII OF 1994
(Received the assent of the Governor on 5th May, 1994)
THE ASSAM PANCHAYAT ACT, 1994
AN
ACT
to amend and consolidate laws relating to Panchayats in
Preamble, Whereas it is expedient to amend and consolidate laws relating 
to Pabchayats in Assam.
It is hereby enactsd in the Forty-fifth Year of Republic of India 
as follows :—
Shor* title ,  
extent and  
com m ence­
m en t.
1. (1) This Act may be called the Assam Panchayat Act, 1994.
(2) It shall extend to the whole of A^sam in the rural areas 
except the Autonomous Distiicts under the Sixth Schedule 
of the Constitution of India and shall exclude any area 
which has been or hereinafter may be included in a Muni­
cipality rr a Town Committee or a Cantonment constituted 
under the Assam Municipal Act, 1956 and the Cantonment 
.let, 1924 respectively or by any other Act.
(3) It shall com into force at once.
Definition 2.
subject
In this Act, unless there 
or context 
is anything repugnant in thq
. 0 ) in the 
"Gaon
*'Gaon Sabha” means a body consisting of persons registered.! 
electoral rolls relating to a village comprised witbin the area of i 
Panchayat”; ' '
“Gaon Panchayat” means a Gacn Panchayat established under(2) ‘  
this Act;
(3) “Anchalil Panchayat” means an Ancbalik Panchayat estab­
lished under this Act;
(4) “Zilla Parishad” means a Zdla Paris v ad established under this A ct;
(*\ “Local Authority” ivcludts Gaon Sabha, Gaon Panchayat, 
Anchalik Panchayat, Zilla Parishad, Municipal Corporation Municipal 
Boards and Town Committees ;
 
1HE ASSAM GAZETTE EXTRAORDINARY, MAY 6, 1994 595
(6) “ Notification” means a notification published in the afficia 
G azette;
(7) “ Panchayati Raj Bodies” means the Gaon Paachayat, Ancha^ 
> lik Paachayat and Zilla Pari sh ad ;
(8) ‘‘Adult’’ means a person male or female having completed his 
or her eijh’een years cf a g e ;
(9) ‘‘Village” means any local area, tecorded as a village in the 
revenue record f th j District in which it is situated and includes any 
areas which the State Government may, by general or special order, 
declare to be a village for the purpose of this A c t;
(10) “ Co-operative Society” means a society registered or deemed 
'o  be registered made the Assam Co-operative Societies Act, 1949, or 
under any Central Act legulating the registration’  of Co-operative 
societies;
(11) “ Member” means a member of a Gaon Pancha yat of a Ancha- 
lik Panchayat or of a Zilla Panshad ;
(12) “Ex-cfficio Member”  means a member who is appointed to 
be a me iber by virtue of his office, and for the purpose cf Gaon 
Panchayat or Anchalik Panchayat or Zilla Perishad and may include 
local Members of Parliament, T cal Members of Legislative Assembly, 
State G< vernment Officials, Representative of local Co-operative Societies 
snd representative of local scheduled er non-scfceduled banks;
(13) “ Co-opted Member” means a person co-opted to be a mem­
ber of a Gaon Pane -ayat or Anchalik PancLayat or Zilla Parishad ;
(14) “Scheduled Caste” means such caste, race or tribe or part 
of or group within such caste, race or tribe as is deemed to be 
Scheduled Caste in relation to the State of Assam under Article 341 
o f the Constitution cf India ;
(15) “ Scheduled Tribe” means such tribe or tribal community as 
is deemed to be Scheduled Tribe in relation to the Staife of Assam 
under Article 342 of the Constitution of India ;
(16) “ Public-Servant” means a public servant as defined in Section 
21 o f the Indian Penal Code, i860 ;
(17) “ Public Property” means any property belonging to Govern­
ment or any local authority ;
(18) “District” means a district in a State ;
(19) “ Bazar, Ha at or M arket”  means, any place within the 
administrative control of the local authority where persons assemble 
daily or bi-weekly or periodically for sale or purchase of article fo

596 THE ASSA M GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY, MAY 6, 1994
human or aalm'il Consumptions or of livestocks or of other marchan- 
dise ;
(20) “ Carriage” means any wheeled vehicle with springs or o her 
appliances acting as spring or a kind ordinarily used for conveyance 
of human beings and includes bicycles, tricycles, rickshas, of all 
kinds and country boat whether operated with or without engine but 
does not include motor-vehicle and perambulators ;
(21) “Cart” means any cart, hackney or wheeled vehicle with or 
without springs which is s  ot a carriage as defined it sub-section 20 ;
(22) “Cattie’’  includes such quadrupeds as are included in the 
Cattle Tresspass Act, 1981 ;
23) The expression ‘’Complaint” and “Offence” shall have the 
same meaning as in Section 2 o<  the Gode of Criminal Procedure, 
1973 ;
(24) “ Bye-Law” means bye-law made and approved under the 
provision o this Act ;
(25) The expression “Decree Holder” “Judgement” "Debtor” “ Legal 
representative” and “Moveable Property” shall have the same meaning 
as in Section 2 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1988 ; k
(26) (i) “Financial year” means the year commencing on the first
day of April every year and ending on the thirty-first 
day of March next year.
(ii) “ Panchayat Year” means the year commencing on the 
first day of July or on such other date as the State 
Government may by notification appoint.
(27) “House-hold” means a house or houses used by a family for 
dwelling purposes ( house includes building ) ;
(28) “ Prescribed” means piiscribed by the State Government by 
rules made under this A ct;
(29) “Proceedings” means any proceeding specified under this 
Act, other than ‘case’, ‘action’  or ‘suit’ ;
(30) “Water Course” includes river, stream, channel, tank, well 
and aquaduct;
(31) “Sur-charge” means an additional charge or payment;
(32) “Development Departments” under the provision of this Act 
shall include such departments as maybe notified by the State Govern­
ment from time to time;

G IE ASSAM GAZETT3, EXTRA )RD1 n ARY, MAY 6, 1994 ______ 597
(33) “ State Government” means the Government in the Panchayat 
aad Rural Devel pmcnt Depa>tment, Assam ;
(34) “ Pre sident” means a non-official who is elected as the 
President of Gaon P. ch ya or Anchalik Panchayat or Zilla Parishad ;
(35 ; “ Vice-Pres ent ;reans a non-official who s elected as tbe 
Vice-Pies cent of Gacn Panchayat or Anchalik Panchayat or Zilla 
Parish-id ;
(36) “ Chair--; <  raon” means the elected Non.- fficial head, either 
male i  '•  female as die c.,s . may be, of Gaon Panchayat or Anchalik 
Panchayat or a Z -.l»  Parishad er a District Planning Committee ;
(37) “ Block Dev lop ent Officer” means an officer who is noti­
fied as such for a development block ;
(38) ‘ C lief Executive Officer” meam the executive head of the 
office of Zilla Paiishad ;
(39, “ Executive Officer” means the Block Development Officer, who 
shall function as executive Office, ef an Anchalik Panchayat, the 
boundary of which is co terniinous with that of the Development Blocks ;
(40) “ S e c ie ta r/’ means th Secretary of a Gaon Panchayat;
(41) “ Deputy Commissioner” means the Deputy Commissioner of 
a district so notified by the Gov.ram ent. The term Deputy Commi­
ssioner shall rnea and induce an Additional Deputy Commissioner 
and a Sub-Divisn-ual Officer o an cutlying Sub-Division.
C H A PTER—II x
CONST1TU ■  ON OF D ISTRICT PLA ,N IN G  COMMITTEE
3. (I) The Gove.nmert shall constitute in every district a District 
constitution Planning Committee to consolidate the Plans pitpared by Zilla 
lanning rc ^ P a r i s i a d ’ ApcbaJik Panchay-.t-, Gaon Ponchayats, Town Committees, 
wmittee. Municipalities and Municipal Corporations, in the district and to 
prepare a draft development p’an for the district as a whole.
(2) The District Planning Committee shall consists of
(*) The members of the Home cf peopL who represent the whole 
or part of the d istrict ;
(b) The members of the Assam Legislative Assembly whose major 
part of the constituencies fall within the District ;
(c) T he Presi . ent of the Zilla Parishad ;
(d) The Mayor or the Chairperson of ths Municipal Corporation/ 
Municipal Board/Town Committee as the case may be having 
JUrisdic'ion over the Head Quarter of the District.

THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, MAY 6, 1994
(e) Such number of persons not less than four fifth of the total 
number of Members as may be specified by the Government, 
,  elected in the prescribed manner from amongst the members 
of the Zilla Par;shad, Councillors f a . nicipal Corporation or 
the Municipalities as the case may be, and the members of the 
Town Committees in the Districts on rotation annually and in 
proportion to the ratio between the population of the rural areas 
and of the urban areas of the District.
(3) The Deputy Commissioner shall be a permanent invitee of the 
Committee as an Ex-Officio Member.
(4) The Chief Excecutive Officer of the Zilla Parisha 1  shall be 
the Ex-Officio Secretary of the C  ommittee.
(5) The president of the Zilla Parishad shall be Ex-Officio Chair­
man of the District Planning Committee.
(6) The District Planning Committee shall consolidate the plan 
prepared by the Zilla Parishad, Anchalik P mchayats ard Gaon Pan- 
chayats, Town Committees, Municipalities and Municipal Corporation 
in the District and preprre a draft development plan for the District 
as a whole.
(7) Every District Planning Committee shali in preparing the 
draft development plan ;
(a) have tegard to—
(i) the matter of cotr.muj interest between Zilla Parishad, 
Anchalik Panchayats, Gaon Panchayats, Municipalities or 
Municipal Corporation as the case may be, and the Town 
Committee in the District including Sectoral Planning sharing 
of water and other physical and natural resources, the 
in egrated development of inf'aBtiuctures and environmental 
conservation ;
(ii) the extent and type of available resources whether financial 
or otherw ise ;
(iii) consult such instructions and organisations as the Governor 
may by order, specify. *
(8) The Chairperson of every District Planning Committee shall 
forward the District Plan, as recommended by such committee, to the 
Government for approval within a specified period as may be pres­
cribed by the State Government,
CHAPTER— -III 
GAON SABHA
Sabha. 4. (1) Subject to the general orders of the Government:—
(i) the Gaon Sabha shall meet from time to timte but a 
period of three months shall net intervene between any
two meetings;
 
THE ASSAM GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY. MAY 6, 1994 599
(li) the Gaon Sabha shall consist of persons registered in electoral 
rolls relating to a village or a group of villages comprised 
within the area of the Gaon Panchayat;
(iii) the Gaon Sabha shall consider the following matters and 
may make recommendations and suggestions to the Gaon 
Panchayats ;
(a) the report in respect o f Development Programme of the 
Gaon Panchayat relating to the preceding year and development pro­
gramme proposed to be undertaken during the current year;
(b) the promotion of unity and harmony among all sections of 
society in the villages;
(c) such ether matters as may be prescribed.
(2) The Gaon Panchayat shall give due consideration to the 
recommendations and suggestiors of the Gaon Sabha.
3) Every meeting of tr .aon Sabha may be presided over by 
the President of the concerned Gaon Panchayat ard in his absence 
by the Vice-Presiden or ar.y person to be selected by the majority 
of the Gaon Sabha member, for that meeting.
(4) The meeting of the Gaon Sabha shall be convened by the 
Secretary of the .  Gaon Panchayat with due approval of the President 
of the Gaon Pauchayat »t.d in consultation wnh the Block Develop­
ment Officer concerned provided wide rublicitv is given fifteen days 
ahead of the date f r holding f he Gaon Sabha Meeting. ■ V .
(5) If the President fail to approve the convening of the Gaon 
Sabha, the Secretary of the Gaon Panchayat shall convene the Gaon 
Sabha in time in consultation with the B. D. O. Whenever, Anchalik 
Pancha-at direct for holding such G»cn Sabha for the purpose for 
selection of beneficiary o' Rural Dvelcpmen* Programmes, the Secre­
tary of the Gaon Panchayat will convene the meeting within twenty 
days time.
Q uorum . ( 6 ) (*)-~T he quorum for a . meeting of the Gao i  Sabha 
sha’l be one-tenth of the total members or one hundred 
number of v ters of the village/villagt s whichever is less.
(ii) If at the time of appointment for the meeting, a quorum 
is not present, the presiding authority shall wait for thirty 
minutes, and if within such period/ there is ro quorum, 
the pre iding authority shall adjourn the meeting to same 
dry of the following week or any other date or time which 
shall not be less than twenty-four hours and more than 
seven days. The adjourned meeting shall not require quorum 
for taking up the business which could not be considered 
at the meeting so fixed.

600 THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, MAY 6, 1994
(7) R esolution: Any resolution to the matter entrusted to the 
Goan Sabha under this Act, shall have to be passed by a majority 
of votes of the reembers present.
(8) Functions : The Gaon Sabha t ’-all perform the following 
functions namely :
(a) mobilising voluntary labour and contribution in kind and 
cash for the Community Welfare Programmes;
(b) identification of beneficiaries for the implements tion of deve­
lopment schemes pertaining to the villages:
Provided that in case the Gaon Sabha fails to identify the bene­
ficiaries within a reasonable time, the Secretary of the Gaon Panchayat 
in consultation with the President o;' the Gaon Prrchayat and t?w 
Block Development Officer conceded viJl identify the beneficiaries 
including the beneficiaries under Integrated Rural Development Pro­
gramme ;
Provided further that if the Secretary fails to convene the 
Gaon Sabha in time for selection of beneficiaries for Rural Deve­
lopment Programme, the Block Development Officer shall convene the 
Gaon Sabha for such specific purpose ;
(c) rendering all kinds cf assistance in th; implementation of 
development schemes pertaining to villages and rendering services in 
the villages.
(9) The President, Vice-Presider t and the members of the Gaon 
Pancbayat/Anchalik Panchayat shall not be er>tit* d to any sitting 
allowance for attending the Gaon Sabha.
CHAPTER—IV
I
ESTABLISHMENT AND CONSTITUTION OF GAON 
PANCHAYAT
Establish- 5. (1) The State Government may, by notification, declare 5hy
mevt ofGaon| o c a i area comprising a revenue vihage or a grout cf revenue 
Fanchayat. v j]| a ge s  o r  a  Forest vijJage or a Tea G rden area or hamlets forming 
part of revenue village or Fores village or Tea Garden area or 
other such administrative unit or par thereof to be Gaon Panchayat
with population of its territory not less than six thousand and not 
more than ten thousand : .
Provided that, vhere a greu f revenue villages or Forest villages 
or T ea Garden areas or hamlets or other such administrative units 
or part thereof is declarer to be a village, the Village sl ab be known 
of as revenue tillage, hamlet, adwfo Lvative -nri. o/ p rrt thereof a s., 
the case may be, having the largest population.

THE ASSAM GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY. MAY 6, 1994 601
(2) After consultation with the Gaon Panchayat, if' it had already 
been established, the Government may, by similar notification, at any 
time—
(a) include within or exclude from any village, any local area 
or otherwise, from the limit of any village; or
(b) declare that any local area shall cease to be a village and 
thereupon the local area shall be so excluded from the limit of the 
village so altered.
(3) Every Gaon Panohayat shall be a body corporate by the name 
of ............  ........     Gaon Panchayat having perpetual succession and
a common seal, with power to acquire and hold property both movable 
and immovable, whether within or without the limits of the village 
over which it has authority and may in its corporate name sue and 
M r be sued.
tionofG aon ®a o n  Panchayat shall consist o f:
Panchayat,
(a) Ten members to be directly elected by the voters of the 
territorial constituencies of the Gaon Panchayat area—one from each 
constituency in the manner prescribed.
(b) President of the Gaon Panchayat who shall be elected directly 
by the voters of the territorial constituencies of the Gaon Panchayat 
area in the manner prescribed.
(2) For the convenience of election, :he prescribed: authority shall 
in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed in this behalf 
by the Government, divide the area of the Gaon Panchayat into ten 
territorial constituencies and allot one seat for each constituency.
(3) When the Gaon Panchayat is constituted under this Seetion, 
the Deputy Courtissioner or an officer authorised by the Deputy
< t Commissioner for this purpose shall call a meeting of the Gaon Pan­
chayat (which shall be f a  erein-after called the first meeting of the Gaon 
Panchayat) for election of a Vice-President from amongst the members 
«  in the manner prescribed.
Duration 7. Every Gaon Panchayat, save as otherwise provided in this 
of G a o n  Act, shall continue for a term of five years from the date Panchayat. a ppOjn ta<l f o r fi r st meeting:
Provided that the term of ths office fixed under this sub-section 
shall be held to inci de any period which may elapse between the 
expiration of the said period and the date of the first meeting of the 
Gaon Panchayat newly constituted in which a quorum shall be present 
when a Gaon Panchayat shall itand dissolved.i
Election to 
corwti t u t e 
G aon Pan­
chayat.
8. (1) The election to constitute a Gaon Panchayat shall be com­
pleted:—
(a) before the expiration of its duration specified in Section (7).

Rese r v a- 
tlon of Seat»  
of G a o n  
Panchayat.
602 THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY MAY 6, 1994
i&dashad-Bih li' .V ' ■  1 ’>
(b) in case of dissolution, before the expiratf®n of a period 
of six months from the date c f its dissolution:
Provided th at wMre the reminder of the period for which the 
dissolved Gaon Panchayat would have continued is less than six months, 
it shall not be necessary to hold any election under this sub-section 
for constituting the G e on Panchayat for such period. \
(2) Gaon Panchayat constituted upon the dissolution of a Gaon 
Panchayat before the expiration of its duration shall continue only for 
reminder of the period for which the dissolved Gaon Panchayat would' 
have continued under Section-(7) had it ne t been so dissolved.
9. (1) In every Gaon Panchayat seats shall be reserved for :—
A
(a) Scheduled Caste, and
(b) Scheduled Tribes,
and the number of seats so reserved shall bear, is  nearly as 
may be, the same proportion of the total number of seats to be filled 
up by direct election in that Panchayat as the papulation of the Sche­
duled Castes in that Gaon Panchayat area or ©f the Scheduled Tribes 
in that area bears to the total population of that area and such seats 
shall be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Gaon Pan­
chayat in such manner as may be prescribed.
(2) Not less than one-third of the total nuaaber of seats reserved 
under sub-secticn-(l) shall be reserved for women belonging to the 
Scheduled C ases or as the case may be, the Scheduled Tribes.
(3) Not less than one.third (including the number of seats reserved 
for women belenging to the Scheduled Caste and the Scheduled Tribes) 
of the total number of seats to be filled up by direct election in every, 2 
Gaon Panchayat shall be reserved for women and such seats m aybe 
allotted by rotation to different constituencies in the Gaon Panchayate 
in such manner as may be prescribe*.
(4) The Offices of the Chairpersons in the Gaon Panchayats shall 
be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women in 
such manner as may be prescribed:
Provided that the number of offices of Chairpersons reserved for 
the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes in the Gaon Panchayats shall 
bear as nearly as n ay be, the same proportion to the total number of 
such offices in the Gaoa Panchayats as the population of the Scheduled 
Castes in the State or ot the Scheduled Tribes in the State bears to 
the total population of the State :
Provided further that not lesB than one-third of the total number 
of offices of Chairpersons in the Gaon Panchayats shall be reserved 
for women:
 
 
 
 
 
THE ASSAM GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY. MAY 6, 1994 603
Provided also that the number of offices reserved under this sub 
section shall be allotted by rotation to diffeient Gaon Panchayats.
Election of 10. (1) After the election of the President of the Gaon Panchayat under 
P res i d e  n t se ction 6 (1) (b) and rhe Vice-Prs.sident under Section 6 (3) if any 
President'of v a c a a c y  o c c a r s  by reason of death, resignation or removal in the 
Gwn eip»n- of the President or the Vice-President as the case may be, 
chayat. the Gaon Panchayat shall elect the President under Section 6(1) (b) or 
the Vice-President under Section 6 (3) as the case may be :
Provided that no election shall be heid if the vacancy is for a 
period of less than one month.
(2) Subject to the general or special order of the Government, 
the Deputy Comtnissioner shall reserve,—
(a) such number of offices of the President and the Vice-Presi­
dent of Gaon Panchayats in the district for the Scheduled Castes 
and the Scheduled Tribes and the number of such offices bearing, as 
nearly as way be, the same proportion to the offices in the District 
on the population of the Scheduled Castes in the district or of the 
Scheduler Tribes in the district bears to the total population of the 
district.
(b) not less than one-third of the fetal number of offices ef 
President and Vice-P resident of Gaon Panchayat in the district from 
each of the categories which are reserved for persons belonging to 
the Scheduled Castes aud Scheduled Tribes and of those which are 
not reserved for women :
Provided that the offices reserved under this sub-section shall be 
allotted by rotation to different Gaon Panchayats in such manner as 
may be prescribed provided that the principle of rotation for purpose 
of reservation cf offices under this Section shall commence from the 
first election to be held after the eomrEeucement of this Act.
11. Any dispute relating to the validity of the election of the 
Vice-President of the Gaon Panchayat under this Act shall be decided 
by the Deputy Commissioner.
12. (1) The term of office of every President and every Vice* 
>  shall, save as otherwise provided in this Act, cease on th#
tions ofser-®xPlry of his term of office as amen a  u . 11^ Gaon Panchayat 
vice of Pre­
sident and
\ iCof>GS 1aC Allowances and other conditions of service of President
Panchayat0  a n ^ Vice-Presideut shall be as may be prescribed.
P o w e rs,  
fa n  c t i  o »  
and dut i e*  
o f President  
and V  i C  e- 
Prelident o f  
Gaon Pan­
chayat.
13 (I) The President shall,—
(a) be responsible for convening the meeting of Gaon Sabha<

604 THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, MAY 6, 199 4
(b) be responsible for convening the meeting of the Gaon Pan­
chayat and preside over its meetings ;
(c) be responsible for the maintenance of the records of the Gaon 
Panchayat;
(d) have the general responsibility for the financial and executive 
administration of the Gaon Panchayat :
(e) exercise administrative supervision and control over work of 
the staff of the Gaon Panchayat and the officers and employees whose 
services may be placed at the disposal of the Gaon Panchayat by 
any other authority;
(f) for the transaction of business connected with this Act 
or for the purpose of making any order authorised thereby, exercise 
such powers, perform such functions or discharge such duties as may 
be prescribed, performed or discharged by the Gaon Panchayat under 
this Act or the rules made thereunder :
Provided that the President shall not exercise such powers, per­
form such functions and discharge such duties as may be required by 
the rules made under this Act;
(g) exercise such other powers, perform such other functions 
and discharge such other duties as the Gaon Panchayat way, by 
general or special resolution, direct or as the Government may by 
rules made ia this behak, prescribe.
(2) The Vice-President shall,
(a) exercise such of the powers, perform such of the functions 
and discharge such of the duties of President as the President may, 
from time to time, subject to rules made in this behalf by the Gov­
ernment, delegate to him by order in writing; Z
Provided that the President may at any time withdraw all er 
any of the powers, function aad duties so delegated to the Vice- 
President;
(b) during the absence of the President, exercise all the 
power s, perform all the functions and discharge all the duties of the 
President with the approval of the President of the Gaon Panchayat;
(c) z  exercise such ether powers, performs such other functions 
and discharge such other duties as the Gaon Panchayat may, by general 
or special reselution, direct or as the Government may, by rules 
made in thu behali, prescribe.
Resignation (1) The President er the Vice-President of Gaon Panchay at may resign 
and Remo- his office by writing under his hand addressed to the Deputy Com- 
val of Presi-missicner and to the President of the Gaon Panchayat, as the case 
dent a n d  jxiav be.Vice Presi- 3  ■
4 cat.

THE ASSAM GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY. MAy_6
l J 9 9 4 K )5
(2) Every resignation under sub' sect’on (I) shall take effect 
on the expiry of fifteen days from the date of itsreceipt by the 
authority unless within this period of fifteen ays he withdraws 
such resignation by writing under his hand addressed to the Deputy 
Commissioner in case of President and to the President of the 
Gaon Panchayat in respect of Vice-President.
(3) Every President or Vite-President shall vacate the office if
M he ceases to be member of Gaon Panchayat.
No. confide- 15. (1) Every President or Vice-Pretident s all be deemed to have 
nee motion vacated his office forthwith when resolution expressing want of confi- 
nresHent and d e n c e  * n  * s P a s se u  by a  majority of two-thira of the total num - 
Vice-Preside-^e r o f members of the Gaon Panchayst.
nt.
Such a meeting shall be spacially convened by the Secretary of the 
Goan Panchayat w  ith approval cf the President of the Gaon Panchayat. 
Such meeting sha’l be presided over by the President if the motion 
is against the Vice-President; and by the Vice-President if the motion 
is against the President. In case such a meeting is not convened 
within a period of fifteen days from the date of receipt of notice, 
the Secretary o f the Gaon Panchayat shall refer the matter to the 
President ot the concerned Anchalik Panchayat wtio shall arrange to 
convene the meering within fifteen days from the receipt of intimation 
from the Secretary of the Goan Panchayat and preside over such 
meetirg.
In case the President of the Anohalik Panckayat dues ro t take 
action as above within the specified fifteen days time the c.cerned 
Deputy Commissioner may refer the matter to the Zilia Parishad for 
necessary action.
(2) The requisition for such a special meeting under Sub-Sec­
tio n —(1) shall be signed by ro t less than one third of the total nutn- 
« ber e f members of the Gaon Panchayat and shall be delivered to the
President or Vice President as the case may be, of the concerned Ancha- 
lik Panchayat wbh intimation to the Deputy Commissioner of ihe 
District.
A  (3) Without prejudice to the provision under this Act a
President or a Vice-President of a Gaon Panchayat may be removed 
from office by the concerned Anchalik Panchayat with the approval of 
the Zila Parhhad for misconduct of his/her duties or neglects or 
incapacity to perform his/her duties-or for being persistently remiss 
in the discharge of or guilty of any disgraceful conduct and President 
or Vice-President so removed shall not be eligible for re-election as 
Presiden or Vice-President during the remaining term of office either 
as President or Vice-President of such Gaon Panchayat.
Provided (hat no such President or Vice-President of a Gaon 
Panchayat shall be removed from office unless he is given reasonable 
opportunity to furnish explanation to the Anchalik Panchayat.
(4) A Vice-President so removed from his office under 
jub-ieefion (3) may also be removed from membership of the Gaon

606_____ THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTKAOKDiNARY. MAY 6, 1©94
Panchayat by the Government after the giving member a reasonable  
opportunity to furnish his explanation
Resignation lb. A member of a Gaon Panchayat may resign his membership  
of m em bers, in writing under his hand addressed to the President of the Gaon
Panchayai.
M eeting ® f l 7-  (1) A Gaon Panchayat shall meet for the transaction of business  
the Gaon at least once in two months at the office of the Gaon Panchayat  
p*ncbayat. a n (j a t SUC a time as the President may determine.
(2) The President whenever be thinks fit, and shall, upon the  
written request of not less than one third of the total number of  
members and on a date within fifteen days irom the receipt of such  
request, call a special meeting.
(3) Seven cle.r days notice of an ordinary meeting and three  
clear days notice of a special meeting specifying the place, date and  
time of such meeting and the business to be transacted therein shall  
be given by ‘he Secretary of the Gaon Panchayat and fix the  
notice on the notice-board of the Gaon Panahayat offiee.
(4) The officers to whom notice is given under sub-iectioa (3)  
and other Government officers having jurisdiction over the Gaon Pan­
chayat area or any part thereof shall be entitled to attend every  
meeting of the Gaon Panchayat and take part in the proceedings but  
shall not be entitled to vote.
(5) If the President fail to call a special meeting under lub-scc-  
ction(2), the Vice-Presinent or in his absence, one third of the total  
number of members may call such a meeting on a day not more than  
fifteen days thereafter and require the Secretary of che Gaon Pancha- ~ 
yat to issue notice to the members and to take such action as may  
be necessary to convene the meeting.
18. (1) The Quorum for a meeting of the Gaon Panchayat shall  
Quorum and u e  third of the total number of members.Procedure. v  w
(2) If at the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not  
present, the presiding authority shall wait for fhrity 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 trom 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 dis­
posed of at the meeting so fixed.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, MAY 6, 1994 6«7
(4) Save as otherwise provided by or unde® this Act, at every  
nwetiag 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 bands, 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 rd by a majority of votes of the members present. The Presi-  
dent/Vice-Presiden* presiding, as the case rray be, unless he refrains 
from voting, shall give bis vote before declaring ths number of votes 
for aad against a question and in the case of equality of votes, he may
• give big casting vote.
(7) No member of a Gaon Panehavat shall vote on, or take part 
in the discussion of, any question coming up fcr Goasideratton at a 
meeting of Gaon Panchayat, if the question is oee in which apart 
from its general application to the public, he hes any pecuniary in­
terest, and if the person pr-tsidir-g ^as such an interest, he shall net  
pieside over the msetlng when such question c«»es np for considera­
tion.
(8) If the person presi ins is believed by any member present at 
the meeting to have any sucu pecuniary in’er-st in any matter under 
discussion, and it a motion to that effect b <  tarried, he shall not 
preside at the meeting during such disetssien or vote on or take pari 
in it. Any member cf the Geon Parchsyai n ay be chosen to pre­
side at the meeting during its continuance of such discussion.
Functions of lg. Subject to such conditions as may be specified by the Govern- 
chavat P a”' m e n t  ^ r o m  time t o time, ths G-ton Panchayat shall peiform the 
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 
vorks.
(6) Maintenance of essential statistics of villages.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
608 'THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, M AY 6, 1994
II AGRICULTURE INCLUDING AGRICULTURE EXTENSION
(1) Identification and implementation of various Agricultural Sch­
emes 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 tf  waste lands.
(3) Development and maintenance of village grazing lands and- 
preventing their unauthorised alienation and use.
III. ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRY DEVELOPMENT AND 
POULTRY:
*
(1) Improvement of bteed of cattle, poultry and other livestock.
(2) Promotion of dairy faming, poultry and piggery.
(3) Gt assland 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(4) Development of social forestry.
VI. KHADI, VILLAGE AND COTTAGE INDUSTRIES:
A(1) Promotion of rural and cottage industries.
(2) Organisation of awarenets camps, seminar and training pro­
gramme, agriculture! and industrial exhibition for the benefit of the 
rural people.
VII. RURAL HOUSING:
(1) Distribution of house sites wuhin its jurisdiction.
(2) Maintenance of records relating to the houses, site and 
other private/public properties.

THE ASSAM GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY. MAY- 6, 1994 609
VIII. DRINKING WATER:
(1) Construction, repairs and maintenance of drinking water wells, 
tanks ponds and tube-wells.
(2) Prevention and control of water pollution.
(3) '4aintenan.ee of ru<al water supply scheme.
IX. ROA OS, BUILDINGS. CULVERTS, BRIDGES, FERRIES,
• waterways  and other  means  of communication .
(1) Construction and maintenance of village roads, drains and culverts.
(2) Maintenance of buildings under its control or transferred to
$ it by the Government or any public authority.
(3) Maintenance of boafs, ferries and water ways,
X. RURAL ELECTRIFICATION: ;; ;
Including identification of locality for distribution of electricity, pro­
viding for and maintenance of lighting of public streets and other 
places.
jsbauoig l«hrc a .. . . .  m ■
XI. N ON-CONVENTIONAL ENERGY SOURCES:
-- j . i'­
ll) Promotion and development of non-c^nventional energy sources. . . . . . . . . 3 .
(2) Maintenance cf community non-conventional energy device, 
including bio-gas plants.
(3- Propagation of improved chulhas and other efficient energy 
devices.
< XII. POVERTY ALLEVIATION PROGRAMME:
(1) Promotion of public awareness and participation in implemen­
tation of poverty alleviation programme for lulser employment and crea­
tion of productive assets-for the community.
(2) S lection of beneficiaries under varieus programmes including 
IRDP through Gaon Sabha.
(3) Participation in effective implementation of various schemes 
and monitorin
XIII. EDUCATION INCLUDING PRIMARY SCHOOLS :
1  Pr motion cf pub c awaieness and participation in Primary
•  rd'Secondary Education.(2) Emuri g ull earo'meat a d ttehdai.cc in Primary Schools 
and its ' er rgemcnt i ;  c.vcir.g the attendance x f  the Primary School 
teac ers. ;

610 THE ASSAM GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY, MAY. 6, 1994
XIV. ADULT AND NON-FORMAL EDUCATION
(1) Promotion of adult literacy.
XV. LIBRARISE:
(1) Organisation of village library and reading rooms.
XVI. CULTURAL ACTIVITIES:
(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.
(2) Clearing of public roads, drains, tanks, ponds, wells and other 
public places.
(3) Maintenance and regulation of burning and burial grounds.
(4) Construction and maintenance of public latrines.
(5) Disposal of unclaimed corposes and carcasses.
(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.
(3) Regulation oi sale of meat, fish nd other perishable food 
articles.
A(4) Participation in programmes of human and animal vaccination.
(5) Licensing of eating and entertainment establishment.
(6) Destruction of stray dogs.
(7) Regulation of caring, tanning and dyeing of skins and hides.
(8) Regulation of offensive ai d dangerous trades.
XX. WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT:
(1) Participation in the implementation of women and child welfare 
programme.

the  ASSAM GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY MAY. < i, 1994 611
(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 pro­
gramme, including welfare of the handicapped, mentally retarded and 
destitutes and distribution of foodstuff oa 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 :
(!) Promotion of public awareness with regard to welfare af 
Scheduled Caites 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 regaid to the distribu­
tion 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 OP MANURE.
XXX. SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS AS MAYBE ENTRUSTED 
FROM TIME IO TIME BY ORDER OF THE GOVT. 
IN THE DEPTT. OF PANCHAYAT AND RURAL 
DEVELOPMENT.

612 THE ASSAM GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY, MAY. 6, 1994
be specified th erein ,—
Assignment 20, (1) The Government may. by notification a n l subject to such 
offuncuons. c o i t i o n s  as may '
(a) 
ten a nee ’’"I ;
?  - (b)
transfer to 
of a forest
any Gaon Panchayat the management and taam- 
situated in the Panchayat area ;
to the Gaon Psnchayat the management of wastemake ever ’  ______ ______  ____ „
lands, pasture lands or vacant lands belonging to the Government 
situated within the Panchayat a re a :
(c) Provided that when any transfer of the management and 
BiaiDienanse of a forest is made under danse (a), the Government 
shall direct that any amount required for such management and 
maintenance or an adeqm te portion of income from such 
placed at the disposal of the Gaon Panchayat.
forest be
(2) The Government  may, bv notification modify any 
assigned in this Section.
functions
necessaryG en eral 21. A Gaon P nchayat shall have powers io d o  all acts 
powers of for or incidental to the carrying out of the functions entrusted, assigned 
chayafcu o t  delegated to it aud, in particular, and without prejudice to the 
foregoing powers, to exercise all powers specified in this Act.to exercise all powers specified in this Act.
Standing 22. (1) Every
Committees. d»ng Committees
of the ‘G ass Panchayat-—
Gaon Fanchayat shall constitute the following S taa- 
by election from amongst the elected members
(i) Develrpn'ent committee 
agricultural production, animal 
poverty alleviation programmes,
for performing functions relating to 
husbandry and rural industries and
(ii) Social justice committee
(a) 
interests 
Classes;
for performing functions relating to :— 
promotion of educational, economic, social, caiteral and other 
of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and Backward
- J b) and any
protection of such castes and classes from social injustice 
form of exploitations ; '
U t t (c) welfare o f women and children.
-UAd
.iLHU/J
''
j A . *1 T T Cf <;'S  '- .J S'!
Social welfare committee to perform functions in respect of 
education, public health, public works and other functions of the Gaon 
Panchayat.
(2) (a) Each committee shall consists of not less than three or 
more than four members including the President or the Vice-President, 
as the case say be. I r  e President of the Gaon Panchayat shall be 
Ex-Officio me .her and Chairman of all the three commitjees :
(iii)

THE ASSAM GAZETTE, EXTRAORDINARY, MAY- 6 1994 613 ■
Pi vided that the socit ju u 'c?  committee 'ball consist of one 
member who is a Woman ? ir  one member belonging to Scheduled 
Gaite or Scheduled Tribes as case may be.
(bi The Gaon Panebay;-' shall be t ompeteut to co-opt to each 
committee, ths num ber of Agriculture Field Management Committee, 
Mahila Sa ittce, Yuba’ -  Sami’ ee a < ’  ot er similar budies recognised 
b the Govcrumewf. Such c m - ion sbonl< be decided by the Gaon 
Panchayat by resolutior with majority support.
Jc) A re- resentati'e of Co-r erati >  Socit'es in the Panchayat 
area shall be co-opted the Development Committee :
Provided t at A® co- :ed members shall have the right to take 
part in the deliberation but shall have no right to vote.
(3) The Stando;g Committees ’  all perform the functions referred 
to above, to tie  extent the powers are d.-ieeateti to them by the 
Gaon Panchayat.
23. (1) A aon Panchayat 
dispose of property and to
Property
& fund 
of Gaon
Panchayat.
shall have powers to acquire, hold and 
eoter into contract :
Provided tha in all ase: of acquisition or disposal e f immovable 
proper y  by the Gaon Panchayat, it shall obtain the approval of 
the Government.
(2) All properties. within- the loaal limit of the jurisdiction of Gaon 
Panchayat, of the nature hereinafter in this section specified, o tter 
than property maintained by the central or State Government or a 
local authority or any othei Gaon Panchayat, shall vest in and belong 
to the Gaon Panchayat, and shall wTh all ether properties of what­
soever nature or kmc it nay become vested in the Gaon Panchaya’, 
be under its dircc-T. management and control, that is to say—
(a) all common pr pe ties;
(b) all ■  bli Site ;, including he soil, stones and other m aterial 
thereof and all drums, bridges, culverts, trees, erection, materials 
implements and other thiA s provided for such streets;
(c) All ublic cha. uels, water courses, springs, tanks, ghats, 
reservoirs, wells, pipes, pumps and other water works whether made, 
laid or erected a’  Ac cost oi the Gaon Panchayat or otherwise, and 
all bridges, buildings, engine, works, materials connected therewith 
or pertaining thereto and also any adjacest land (not being private 
proper-y) pertaini g io ally public tank :
Provided that water pipes and water works connected therewith 
or pertaining thereto which with he 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.

614 _  T H E  ASSAM GAZETTE. EXTRAORDINARY, MAY. f, 1994
(d) all sewage, rubbish and offensive mailer 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 there­
with or pertaining thereto; a

Excerpt shown. Open the full act in Lexace.

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