The Ministry of Panchayati Raj announced on Thursday that special gram sabhas will be organised nationwide on October 2 to deliberate on governance reforms, the execution of major government initiatives, and village-level development priorities.
The special gram sabhas will initiate the People's Plan Campaign 2026-27, titled 'Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas,' where gram panchayats will develop their Gram Panchayat Development Plans for 2027-28 using participatory and evidence-based planning.
According to the ministry, the gram sabha meetings will unite citizens and local officials to evaluate the advantages and execution of major government programs, pinpoint local requirements and shortcomings, and discuss priorities for the development of their villages.
The ministry, in collaboration with multiple ministries and departments, is fostering dialogue through a cohesive government strategy for grassroots development.
Key initiatives include:
Finance Commission grants for panchayats
capacity building under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan
digital governance via eGramSwaraj and AuditOnline
own-source revenue efforts
the SVAMITVA program
Panchayat Advancement Index.
"The gram sabha provides citizens with a direct platform to share their experiences, feedback and suggestions on these schemes and initiatives, and to help determine local priorities," MoPR said.
Since 2018, the People's Plan Campaign has been carried out in states and Union territories, allowing panchayats to create comprehensive, inclusive, and participatory development plans.
The ministry reports that over 2.55 lakh gram panchayats draft and upload their plans on eGramSwaraj.
The panchayat progress index helps panchayats recognize accomplishments and shortcomings in essential aspects of local development, offering a foundation for the gram sabha to set priorities and commit to goals for the upcoming year, it stated. '
Through 'Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas', gram sabhas will strengthen participatory governance and aid in creating 'Empowered Panchayats, Self-Reliant Panchayats, and Developed Panchayats', it added.