Area sabha
Topic: Urban Local Government: Municipalities and Cities · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
An area sabha is a meeting of all the voters of one polling-booth area. The Model Nagara Raj Bill (2008) proposed it to give city people a direct say in local matters, much as the gram sabha does in villages. It is not required by Part IXA, so each state decides whether to have it. Adoption has been patchy.
Example
The Second ARC (2007) included working ward committees and area sabhas in its plan to strengthen city government. Through an area sabha, residents of one neighbourhood could point out problems like blocked drains or broken street lights.
Don't confuse with
- Wards committee (Art. 243S): the Constitution requires a wards committee in municipalities with 3 lakh or more people. The area sabha is a smaller, voluntary forum that only some states use.