Ch. III · §8
Chapter III
Local Committee
Section
Chapter III · Local Committee
Section 8
Grants and audit
Temporary structural and explanatory content only; it is not a verbatim reproduction. Complete statutory text and legal commentary will be integrated after separate legal verification.
Plain Language
The Central Government may make grants to State Governments to cover fees or allowances for Local Committee members. This recognises that LC members are performing a public function and should not do so entirely at their own cost.
The accounts of the Local Committee must be maintained in the prescribed form and are subject to audit. This is a standard accountability mechanism for public funds.
The funding depends on Parliamentary appropriation — it is not automatic or unlimited. The availability of grants may vary by state and year.
Why It Matters
Without funded member fees and allowances, the Local Committee system risks becoming non-functional. Volunteers without support are unlikely to sustain the workload.
The audit requirement ensures accountability for public expenditure and creates a record trail for oversight.
The dependence on Central Government grants means the LC's operational effectiveness is tied to budgetary decisions at the national and state level.
Practical Example
Scenario: A Local Committee in a small district has not received any funds for member allowances for over a year.
Outcome: The LC can still function — the statute does not make funding a precondition — but the District Officer should escalate the funding gap to the State Government, which can request Central Government grants under this section.
Who Must Act
government
- Make grants to State Governments for payment of fees or allowances to LC members, subject to Parliamentary appropriation.
- Prescribe the form and manner of account maintenance and audit for Local Committees.
district officer
- Ensure LC accounts are maintained in the prescribed form.
- Facilitate access to grants and funding for the LC.
Compliance
Maintain LC accounts in the prescribed form and subject them to audit
Actor: Local Committee · Rule: Section 8(2)
Common Mistakes
Assuming the LC cannot function without Central Government grants — the grants are enabling, not a precondition for the LC's jurisdiction or authority.
Neglecting the audit requirement — LC accounts must be maintained and auditable even if no grants have been received.
Source & Status
This page contains temporary structural and explanatory content, not a verbatim reproduction of the Act.
Source: Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
Publication status: Temporary content pending separate legal verification