Archive · 6 Sep 2026
Kamal Haasan Proposes Stronger Gram Sabhas in Tamil Nadu
Kamal Haasan asked Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister to make village meetings more powerful.
These meetings are called Gram Sabhas.
They let villagers discuss local problems and government plans.
Haasan wants village representatives to receive higher monthly payments.
He also wants villagers to have more say over liquor shops in their areas.
People should be able to suggest topics before meetings.
Government officials should publicly explain what they did about earlier decisions.
Haasan believes these changes would help villages plan and monitor their own development.
Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay ahead of October 2 Gram Sabha meetings.
He proposed higher monthly honorariums of Rs 16,000 for village panchayat presidents, Rs 10,000 for vice-presidents and Rs 8,000 for ward members.
Haasan suggested giving Gram Sabhas greater authority over local TASMAC outlets, including possible veto power over existing shops and consent requirements for new ones.
He called for greater public participation, citizen input on agendas, live broadcasts of exemplary meetings and time-bound implementation of resolutions.
Haasan said stronger training, research and participatory village planning could make Tamil Nadu a model for grassroots governance.
- Who
- Makkal Needhi Maiam founder and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan wrote to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay.
- What
- Haasan proposed measures to strengthen Gram Sabhas and improve grassroots participation, accountability and local decision-making.
- When
- The letter was shared on Saturday ahead of Gram Sabha meetings scheduled for October 2.
- Where
- Tamil Nadu, including its village panchayats and local Gram Sabha meetings.
- Why
- Haasan said stronger Gram Sabhas would support participatory democracy and reflect Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj.
- Proposer
- Kamal Haasan, founder of Makkal Needhi Maiam and a Rajya Sabha MP
- Upcoming meetings
- Gram Sabha meetings scheduled for October 2
- Village president honorarium
- Proposed increase to Rs 16,000 per month
- Vice-president honorarium
- Proposed increase to Rs 10,000 per month
- Ward member honorarium
- Proposed increase to Rs 8,000 per month
- Liquor-shop proposal
- Gram Sabhas would receive a greater say over existing and proposed local TASMAC outlets
- Accountability proposal
- Resolutions should receive time-bound action, with implementation statuses and Action Taken Reports made public