Survey Uncovers Critical Failures in Karnataka's Children's Village Meetings
A recent survey conducted by ActionAid Karnataka Projects (AKP), a non-governmental organization dedicated to children's rights, has exposed significant lapses in the implementation of Makkala Grama Sabhe (children's village meetings) across several gram panchayats in Chikodi taluk of Karnataka. The findings highlight a troubling gap between government mandates and on-ground execution, raising concerns about children's participation in local governance.
Mandatory Meetings Fall Short of Expectations
The Makkala Grama Sabhe initiative is mandated under a circular issued by the Karnataka rural development and panchayat raj department. This directive requires all gram panchayats in the state to hold children's village meetings between November and January each year. The primary goal is to understand and address the issues faced by children in their communities, fostering an environment where young voices can be heard in local decision-making processes.
However, AKP's detailed study, which focused on nine specific gram panchayats—Bambalwad, Belakud, Ingali, Jainapur, Kallol, Mugali, Nagarmunnoli, Umrani, and Yadur—revealed that the initiative remains at a nascent stage. The report identifies numerous operational gaps and deviations from established government guidelines, undermining the program's effectiveness.
Children Silenced by Pressure and Poor Practices
According to the survey, all gram panchayats were required to conduct Makkala Grama Sabhe within a three-month window starting from November 2025. Yet, many meetings failed to create a safe and encouraging environment for children to express their concerns freely. Raghavendra Paschapur, senior project lead of AKP in Karnataka, explained the challenges observed during the study.
"Our volunteers conducted preparatory meetings with children in nine gram panchayats to help them understand the purpose of Makkala Grama Sabhe and the issues they could raise," Paschapur stated. "While children openly discussed their concerns during these sessions, many did not speak about the same issues during the official meetings due to pressure and apprehension."
The survey found that in several gram panchayats, children were asked to sit on the floor and were encouraged to discuss only school-related topics. This restrictive approach stifled open dialogue and prevented children from addressing broader issues affecting their lives, such as safety, health, and community development.
Widespread Non-Compliance with Recording Requirements
Paschapur noted that although the detailed survey covered nine gram panchayats, a brief review of all 36 gram panchayats in Chikodi taluk was also conducted. The study uncovered that most panchayats failed to record children's statements, despite this being a mandatory requirement under government guidelines. This omission not only violates procedural norms but also hinders accountability and follow-up actions.
Nagarmunnoli gram panchayat emerged as a rare positive example, where children were allowed to speak freely, their statements were properly recorded, and the proceedings were uploaded on the government portal. This case demonstrates that successful implementation is possible with proper adherence to guidelines.
Government Response and Future Steps
In response to the report, Rahul Shinde, chief executive officer of the Belagavi zilla panchayat, stated that he was unaware of the survey but assured that the matter would be thoroughly examined. "I directed all gram panchayats to mandatorily conduct Makkala Grama Sabhe. I will verify whether any procedural lapses occurred and take steps to rectify them," he said, emphasizing a commitment to addressing the identified issues.
The survey aimed to assess how effectively these meetings enable children to participate in local governance and voice their concerns. Government guidelines stress that gram panchayats play a crucial role in ensuring children's rights related to survival, protection, development, and participation through such forums. The findings call for urgent corrective measures to align practice with policy, ensuring that children's voices are not only heard but also acted upon in Karnataka's rural governance framework.
