Area Sabhas: the ground that remains to be covered

As Area Sabha meetings are set to unfold from April 14, a look at what needs to be done to make them more participatory

Preparations are under way at various wards for the Area Sabha meeting of April 14. Some councillors The Hindu Downtown spoke to say they received the message from Greater Chennai Corporation on April 9, which gives them some time to reach out to citizen groups and residents and inform them about the timings and venues. While many plan to use social media to publicise the meeting, some engage autorickshaws fitted out with loudspeakers.

Giving prior notice about the meetings was among demands made by civil society organisations such as Voice of People which has been pushing the State Government to initiate various steps to strengthen Area Sabhas and Ward Sabhas.

Tamil Nadu introduced Area Sabhas for urban local bodies in 2022 and has earmarked four days — January 25, April 14, September 15 and December 10 every year — to conduct the meetings. As per the government order, each ward is divided into 10 areas and each of the city’s councillors must organise meetings to address grievances of residents.

Now, how popular are these platforms? Were residents able to raise their concerns about issues pertaining to their areas? Are these forums facilitating participatory planning? Are grievances being addressed?

Area Sabha meetings have a long way to go in the city, say organisations working in this area of grassroot democracy.

For the December Area Sabha meeting Nallor Vattam founder Balasubramanian, a resident of Choolaimedu, had to return home disappointed. “I visited the GCC Division Office in Aminjikarai to enquire about the meeting a day before the scheduled event, but left with little clarity. The next day I waited for over an hour for the organisers to arrive only to hear from them that they are not organising any meeting,” says Balasubramanian, adding that awareness about Area Sabha meetings is low.

He says just like Grama Sabha meetings, Area Sabha meetings hold huge potential provided they are conducted as per norms.