October 2 is not only observed as Gandhi Jayanti. This year, special Gram Sabhas are being organised across India to discuss governance reforms and local development under the government's People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27, titled “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas.”

The initiative gives villagers an opportunity to participate in discussions about development priorities and the planning of works in their Gram Panchayats.

What is the People’s Plan Campaign?

The People’s Plan Campaign is designed to involve local communities in preparing development plans for Gram Panchayats.

Instead of development priorities being decided only at higher administrative levels, Gram Sabhas provide a platform where residents can raise issues and discuss the requirements of their villages.

Why is October 2 important?

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has announced special Gram Sabhas across the country on October 2, 2026.

These meetings are expected to focus on transformative governance reforms and local development planning.

For villagers, this can be an opportunity to raise concerns related to roads, drinking water, sanitation, street lighting, housing, public infrastructure and other local requirements.

What can villagers discuss?

Depending on local priorities, Gram Sabha discussions can cover development works that need to be taken up by the Panchayat.

Residents can use these meetings to highlight problems in their locality and put forward suggestions for future development plans.

The participation of local residents is important because people living in the village are often best placed to identify problems that may not be immediately visible at higher administrative levels.

Why should ordinary citizens participate?

Many people associate Gram Sabha meetings only with Panchayat officials. However, participation by residents is an important part of the system.

Attending the meeting allows villagers to understand what development work is being proposed, raise questions and communicate issues affecting their neighbourhood.

It can also help residents stay informed about how local development priorities are being planned.

Digital governance is also getting attention

The government has increasingly focused on strengthening digital infrastructure and technology in Gram Panchayats. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has separately highlighted initiatives related to digital Panchayat governance and platforms such as eGramSwaraj.

The broader objective is to make local governance more transparent, accessible and efficient.

What should you do?

If you live in a village, check with your Gram Panchayat about the timing and venue of the special Gram Sabha.

Before attending, make a list of important issues in your locality. Whether it is a damaged road, water problem, drainage issue, lack of streetlights or another public concern, raising it through the appropriate local forum can help bring it into the development discussion.

The key message of the campaign is simple: village development works better when local residents are involved in deciding what their communities need most.