THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JUNE 30, 2026
Stressing that vibrant Gram Sabhas are the cornerstone of
citizen-centric governance and grassroots democracy, NITI Aayog Member Dr. R.
Balasubramaniam on Tuesday said that meaningful public participation is
essential for ensuring that the benefits of governance reach the last mile.
Releasing the National Study Report on "Low Participation in Gram Sabha
across States and Union Territories", he emphasized that empowering
citizens to actively participate in local decision-making is critical to
realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The two-volume report, prepared by the National Institute of
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR) for the Ministry of
Panchayati Raj, was unveiled in the presence of Ministry Secretary Vivek
Bhardwaj, senior government officials, academicians, researchers and Panchayati
Raj stakeholders in New Delhi. The study examines the factors influencing
public participation in Gram Sabha meetings and recommends evidence-based
measures to strengthen grassroots governance across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Balasubramaniam described the
Gram Sabha as the truest expression of democracy at the grassroots, saying its
effectiveness determines how successfully governance reaches every citizen. He
noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government
has consistently pursued citizen-centric governance by designing institutions
and policies around people's needs.
He said the report offers a practical, evidence-based
framework that can be adopted nationwide to strengthen Gram Sabhas. According
to him, the challenge is not merely low attendance but deeper systemic and
institutional barriers that require focused reforms. He underlined the
importance of encouraging citizens not only to attend Gram Sabha meetings but
also to take ownership of local development initiatives.
Dr. Balasubramaniam observed that genuine public
participation cannot be mandated through administrative measures alone.
Instead, State institutions must create enabling mechanisms that foster
sustained community engagement. He explained that meaningful participation
evolves progressively—from awareness to active engagement and ultimately to
empowerment when governments respond effectively to the aspirations of Gram
Sabhas.
Highlighting the significance of research-based policymaking,
he said studies of this nature help convert field experiences into actionable
policy recommendations, strengthen institutional learning and reinforce
democratic institutions at the grassroots as India advances towards its
long-term development goals.
Speaking on the occasion, Vivek Bhardwaj, Secretary, Ministry
of Panchayati Raj, said the past decade has witnessed a remarkable
transformation in rural India, marked by near-universal access to basic
amenities and a renewed focus on strengthening grassroots democracy. He said
the study provides valuable evidence for designing targeted interventions to
improve participation in Gram Sabhas, particularly among women, youth and
marginalized communities.
Bhardwaj added that the Ministry will work closely with
States and Union Territories to implement the report's recommendations, making
Gram Sabhas more inclusive, participatory and outcome-oriented.
The findings of the study were presented by Dr. Anjan Kumar
Bhanja, Associate Professor at NIRD&PR, Hyderabad. One of the country's
largest field-based assessments on Gram Sabha participation, the study covered
nearly 7,800 respondents across about 400 Gram Panchayats in 26 States and
Union Territories, spanning 213 districts, including PESA and Women-Friendly Gram
Panchayats.
Besides identifying state-wise factors affecting public
participation, the report documents best practices from 10 States and offers
actionable recommendations to strengthen policy frameworks, reinforce
institutional mechanisms and promote greater citizen engagement in local
self-governance across India.
