Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasan has urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to strengthen Gram Sabhas and ensure greater public participation.
In a letter ahead of the Gram Sabha meetings scheduled across Tamil Nadu on October 2, 2026, Haasan made eight recommendations, including increasing the monthly honorarium of village panchayat representatives to Rs.16,000 for presidents, Rs.10,000 for vice-presidents and Rs.8,000 for ward members.
He sought greater powers for Gram Sabhas in decisions concerning local TASMAC outlets and mandatory approval before opening new outlets.
Haasan also called for wider awareness campaigns, live-streaming of exemplary Gram Sabha meetings and time-bound implementation of Gram Sabha resolutions. He urged the government to publish an Action Taken Report at subsequent meetings.
He further sought strict implementation of the rule requiring public notice and the agenda to be issued at least seven days before meetings.
He said villagers should have a direct role in preparing Village Panchayat Development Plans and urged stronger training, research, transparency and accountability in grassroots governance.
