Lok Sabha Question No. 2897 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Role of Panchayat
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Smt. Roopkumari Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2897

ANSWERED ON 18/03/2025

## ROLE OFPANCHAYAT

## 2897. SMT. ROOPKUMARI CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a)

the manner

in which

the

Ministry plan

to utilize

the

Panchayati

Raj system

for implementing skill development and capacity-building programmes for rural entrepreneurs in

the country particularly in Chhattisgarh;

(b) wheter there are any specific measures or initiatives being undertaken to empower rural entrepreneurs in the country particularly in Chhattisgarh's villages and small towns through

the Panchayati Raj system, if so, the details thereof;

(c) the details of steps are being taken to ensure sustainable livelihoods and economic growth for rural entrepreneurs under this framework;

(d) whether the Ministry conducted any assessments or studies based on conclave insights to enhance the effectiveness of these programmes and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether there are any financial or infrastructural support schemes linked to the Panchayati

Raj system

Chhattisgarh?

for strengthening

rural entrepreneurship

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

(PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a)

to

(e)

The primary

objective of

the

Ministry of

in the

country

Panchayati

Raj is

particularly overseeing

in the

implementation of Part IX of the Constitution. The aim of the Ministry is to make Panchayati

Raj Institutions

(PRIs) an effective, efficient and transparent vehicle for local governance,

social change and public service delivery mechanism meeting the aspirations of local population. Accordingly, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been implementing Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) for all States/UTs including Chhattisgarh, aims at developing Governance capabilities at the grassroots through continuous capacity building and training of Elected Representatives (ERs), functionaries and other Stakeholders of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Currently, there is no such plan of the Ministry to utilize the Panchayati Raj system for implementation of skill development and capacity building for rural entrepreneurs in the country including Chhattisgarh.

The Panchayats are also mandated to prepare plan for economic development and social justice. Accordingly, Panchayats provide necessary support in planning, implementation and monitoring of various schemes of Central and State Governments as provisioned in respective schematic guidelines. Under Panchayati Raj InstitutionsCommunity Based Organisations (PRI-CBO) convergence, areas for collaboration have been identified and Community Resource Persons (CRPs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) members are trained on participation, monitoring and follow up of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) process, preparation and incorporation of Village Poverty Reduction Plan (VPRP) into GPDP and participation in Gram Sabha etc.

Strengthening convergence of SHG and its federation with PRI has been an important agenda for DeendayalAntyodayaYojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAYNRLM), a Centrally sponsored scheme being implemented by Ministry of Rural Development in 7145 blocks in 745 districts across 28 States and 6 UTs (except Delhi and Chandigarh). Cumulatively, 10.05 crore rural households have been mobilized into more than 90.90 lakh SHGs in country. In the State of Chhattisgarh DAY-NRLM provides selfemployment opportunities, and support for Self-Help Groups (SHGs) engaged in agro-based industries, handicrafts, and cottage industries. Entrepreneurship Development Programs (EDPs), run in partnership with state agencies, help build business acumen and foster innovation.

****