India, Oct. 3 -- More than 2.42 lakh Special Gram Sabhas were held across India on Gandhi Jayanti, giving rural citizens a direct platform to discuss Government schemes that affect their daily lives, from a guaranteed 125 days of annual wage employment to piped drinking water, digital land records and consumer protection helplines.

The Gram Sabhas, scheduled on the GPDP Portal and Panchayat NIRNAY Portal, marked the start of the People's Plan Campaign 2026-27, "Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas," under which Panchayats will prepare their Development Plans for 2027-28. Local residents, elected representatives, Panchayat functionaries and officials actively participated, with schemes from seven central ministries and departments placed at the cent...