Institution of Local Self Governance and its Linkages with Tourism

through customary methods. The Gram Sabha under theextended act is to approve plans, programmes and projectsmeant for social and economic development of the villagepanchayat prior to its implementation by Panchayats at thevillage level. The gram Sabha has been empowered to identify andselect beneficiaries for poverty alleviation and otherprogrammes. This provision reduces the chance of misuse ofpowers by the bureaucracy and the politicians.2) Every village panchayat has to get a certificate from the GramSabha for the utilization of funds meant for projects andprogrammes for social and economic development, povertyalleviation and other programmes.3) Acquiring land for development projects and rehabilitation andresettlement of persons affected as a result of any projectundertaken in the scheduled areas has to be done in consultationwith either gram Sabha or the Pa nchayat at the appropriate level.Planning and implementation of the project has to be coordinated atthe state level.3) Planning and management of minor water bodies in the scheduledareas have to be managed by the Panchayats at the appropriatelevel.4) For grant of license or lease of land for the purpose of mining minorminerals, the recommendation of the gram Sabha or the panchayatat the appropriate level is mandatory. Grant of concessions for theexploitation of minor minerals by auction has to be given on therecommendations of the Gram Sabha or the panchayat at theappropriate level. This is a measure taken to prevent illegal miningand overexploitation of natural and economic resources.5) Besides the above mandatory powers the gram sabha or thepanchayat at the appropriate level enjoy other mandatory powerssuch as: i) to enforce prohibition or to regulate and restrict the saleand consumption of any intoxicant; ii) the ownership of minor forestproduce and management of all types of village markets; iii) toprevent alienation of land and to take appropriate action to restoreany unlawfully alienated land of a scheduled land of a scheduledtribe in the scheduled areas; iv) to exercise control over local plansand its resources including tribal sub-plans.42