New Delhi: More than 2.42 lakh Special Gram Sabhas were convened across the country on Gandhi Jayanti (October 2), marking the commencement of the People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27, “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas”, under which Panchayats will formulate their development plans for the financial year 2027-28, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj said.
The nationwide exercise, coordinated by the Ministry in collaboration with 21 Union Ministries and Departments, witnessed enthusiastic participation from local residents, elected representatives, Panchayat functionaries and officials, who deliberated on citizen-centric schemes, local development priorities and governance reforms.
People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27
The Special Gram Sabhas formally inaugurated the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) 2026-27, enabling Gram Panchayats to prepare evidence-based, participatory Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) for 2027-28.
Implemented in all States and Union Territories since 2018 under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, the campaign focuses on capacity building across nine local development themes. Over 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats prepare and upload their GPDPs on the eGramSwaraj portal, while the Panchayat Advancement Index helps each Panchayat assess progress and identify gaps. On this basis, the Gram Sabha can take a Sankalp on priority areas, advancing the Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals and the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Key Reforms Discussed
According to the Ministry, schemes and initiatives of the Central Government — under the Ministries of Panchayati Raj, Rural Development, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, and Land Resources — were placed at the centre of discussions.
The Sixteenth Finance Commission has recommended ₹4,35,236 crore for Rural Local Bodies for 2026-31, an 84 per cent increase over the previous commission. The SAMARTH Panchayat Portal has registered over 57 lakh taxpayers and 15 lakh properties. Under the SVAMITVA Scheme, 3.33 crore property cards have been generated for 2.06 lakh villages, with loans of about ₹1,713 crore sanctioned.
The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), operational since July 1, guarantees 125 days of wage employment annually to eligible rural households. More than 31.69 crore person-days have been generated, and over 2.81 crore workers from about 2.23 crore households have received employment.
Under the Jal Jeevan Mission, rural tap water connections have grown from 3.23 crore households (17 per cent) to over 16 crore (80 per cent). Under Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), 12.22 crore household toilets have been built, and over 5.25 lakh villages (89.6 per cent) have declared themselves Open Defecation Free Plus.
Under One Nation One Ration Card, about 3.27 crore portability transactions occur monthly, and the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana provides free foodgrains to up to 81.35 crore beneficiaries, extended until 2028.
Under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, 99.90 per cent of Records of Rights and 97.4 per cent of cadastral maps have been digitised. Citizens in 31 States and Union Territories can access land records online.
Joint Centre–State Push
Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, along with senior officers, remained in continuous touch with State and Union Territory officials throughout the day.
“These Special Gram Sabhas reaffirmed the Gram Sabha as the foundation of participatory democracy and local governance. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj looks forward to the preparation of people-centred Panchayat Development Plans for 2027-28 under the People’s Plan Campaign, towards building Sashakt, Atmanirbhar and Viksit Panchayats in the larger endeavour of Viksit Bharat,” the Ministry stated.