Lok Sabha Question No. 2911 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Social Audit of Gram Panchayats
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri R K Chaudhary, Shri Balya Mama Suresh Gopinath Mhatre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2911

ANSWERED ON- 18.03.2025

## SOCIALAUDITOFGRAMPANCHAYATS

## 2911.   SHRI R K CHAUDHARY:

## SHRI BALYA MAMASURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) the details of steps taken by the Government to ensure effective decentralization of power and resources to gram panchayats in the country particularly in Mohanlalganj;

(b) whether the social audit to ensure transparency in execution of works in Gram Panchayats has been made compulsory in the country particularly in Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof, district-wise;

(c) the extent to which funds allocated to panchayats in the country especially in Mohanlalganj being utilized for local development projects and the details of mechanisms are in place to ensure transparency;

(d) whether the Government has enforced any monitoring mechanism to check corruption in functioning Gram Panchayats in the country particularly in Maharashtra, if so, the details thereof;

(e) the extent to which the Government ensuring the conduct of regular social audits in panchayats in the country especially in Mohanlalganj to promote accountability and curb corruption;

(f) the details of grievance redressal mechanisms are in place for residents of Mohanlalganj to address issues related to panchayati raj functioning; and

(g) the present status regarding enforcement of E-Governance in Gram Panchayats in the country particularly in Maharashtra alongwith the details thereof, district-wise and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

(PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) 'Panchayat', being 'Local Government', is a State subject and part of State List of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Panchayats are set up and operate through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts which may vary from State to State, subject to the provisions of the Constitution. Article 243G of the Constitution empowers the Legislature of a State to make provisions, by law, for the devolution of power and responsibilities upon Panchayat at appropriate level, subject to such conditions as may be specified, with respect to the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice and implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them including those in relation to matters included in the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution. The State legislatures are to consider the 29 subjects illustratively set out in the Eleventh Schedule for devolution of power and responsibilities upon Panchayats. Accordingly, effective decentralization of power and resources to Gram Panchayats depends on the extent of powers and resources devolved to them by the States concerned, which varies across States.

The Uttar Pradesh State Government has stated that, in terms of decentralization of power, including in Mohanlalganj, significant reforms have been implemented following the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution in 1993. Consequently, the Uttar Pradesh Panchayat Raj Act, 1947, was amended to empower Gram Panchayats to function across all 29 subjects outlined in Section 15 of the Act.

Gram Panchayats receive financial support from the State Finance Commission, the Central Finance Commission, and various schemes initiated by both the Central and State Governments. They independently formulate their 'Gram Panchayat Development Plan' (GPDP), which is uploaded on the e-Gram Swaraj Portal and subsequently implemented by the respective Gram Panchayats.

(b) To enhance transparency and accountability, the Ministry, with the support of the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), has developed comprehensive guidelines for conducting Social Audits of works and activities undertaken using Fifteenth Finance Commission Grants. These Social Audit Guidelines were officially released by the then Hon'ble Minister for Panchayati Raj on June 22, 2021, and subsequently shared with all States to facilitate their implementation. However, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj does not maintain district-wise details for each State in this regard.

(c) The State Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that in Gram Panchayats of the State, including Mohanlalganj, 70 percent amount is allocated under the recommendations of State Finance Commission and Central Finance Commission. Additionally, funds are provided under various schemes, primarily utilized for local development initiatives such as rural infrastructure, sanitation, drinking water supply, education, healthcare services, and livelihood programs. The effectiveness of fund utilization depends on factors such as allocation, planning efficiency, and execution capacity at the Gram Panchayat level.

## Mechanisms to Ensure Transparency:

E-GramSwaraj PortalAll financial transactions and Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) are uploaded on the e-Gram Swaraj Portal to promote accountability.

Social AuditRegular social audits are conducted, allowing local communities to review and verify the implementation of schemes.

Public ParticipationGram Sabhas play a key role in approving projects and monitoring fund utilization.

AuditsThrough AuditOnline Portal, independent agencies conduct audits to ensure proper fund usage and prevent corruption.

E-GramSwaraj- PFMS InterfaceTo prevent leakages, funds are transferred directly to vendors' accounts through PFMS.

(d) To bring in efficiency, accountability, transparency and check corruption in the functioning of the PRIs and for its overall transformation, the Ministry has implemented Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayats (MMP-ePanchayat), a Central component of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) scheme under which various e-governance projects are funded towards digitalization of Panchayats. The eGramSwaraj application, developed under the e-Panchayat MMP, has facilitated seamless digital planning, accounting, monitoring, and online payments. Furthermore, the Ministry has integrated eGramSwaraj with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for Gram Panchayats (GPs), ensuring real-time payments to vendors and service providers.

Additionally, an online application, 'AuditOnline,' has been developed to facilitate the online auditing of Panchayat accounts and financial management. Launched in April 2020, the AuditOnline portal enhances transparency in the utilization of Central Finance Commission funds and strengthens the financial management of Panchayats. The district-wise status of the audit of Gram Panchayats in Maharashtra for the Financial Year 2023-24 is enclosed as Annexure-I .

(e) The State Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed it has taken significant steps to ensure the conduct of regular social audits in Panchayats, including in Mohanlalganj, to promote accountability and curb corruption.

## Extent of Social Audits in Panchayats (Including Mohanlalganj):

Mandatory Social Audits under MGNREGA: The Uttar Pradesh Social Audit Society (UPSAS) conducts these audits to check fund utilization in Mohanlalganj and other Panchayats.

E-Gram Swaraj & Public Transparency: The e-Gram Swaraj Portal provides access to Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP), financial transactions, and work progress reports, allowing the public to scrutinize expenditures.

(f) The State Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that several Grievance Redressal Mechanisms are in place in Mohanlalganj to address issues related to Panchayati Raj functioning with the aim to ensure transparency, accountability, and prompt resolution of complaints regarding fund utilization, corruption, and mismanagement in Gram Panchayats.

## Details of Grievance Redressal Mechanisms for Residents of Mohanlalganj:

E-GramSwaraj Portal: The e-Gram Swaraj Portal allows online complaint registration and tracking.

District & Block-Level Panchayati Raj Offices: Complaints regarding misuse of funds, corruption, and poor implementation of schemes can be reported to the Block Development Officer (BDO) and District Panchayati Raj Officer (DPRO) of Lucknow. Social audit committees conduct public hearings where villagers can raise concerns about fraudulent activities in Panchayats.

Jan Sunwai (Public Grievance Redressal System): The Uttar Pradesh Jan Sunwai (IGRS) Portal allows residents to lodge online complaints related to Gram Panchayat functioning.

Lokayukta & Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB): If corruption or financial fraud is suspected, residents can file complaints with the Uttar Pradesh Lokayukta or the AntiCorruption Bureau (ACB) for investigation.

Right to Information (RTI) Act: Under the RTI Act, 2005, residents can request information about Panchayat budgets, development projects, and financial transactions to expose any mismanagement.

(g) The Ministry, under the Digital India initiative, has implemented the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP), which has automated internal processes in 2.55 lakh Panchayats, benefiting 30 lakh elected members and 10 lakh functionaries. This has significantly enhanced transparency, efficiency, and governance at the grassroots level.

The eGramSwaraj application, developed as part of the e-Panchayat MMP, has facilitated digital planning, accounting, monitoring, and online payments at the Panchayat

level. The integration of eGramSwaraj with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) enables real-time payments to vendors and service providers, ensuring seamless fund flow and reducing delays. In Financial Year 2024-25, 2.54 lakh Gram Panchayats uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs), and over ₹55,000 crores have been transferred through the eGramSwaraj-PFMS interface. State wise adoption of eGramSwaraj, including Maharashtra, during current Financial Year is given at Annexure-II. The district wise adoption of eGramSwaraj in Maharashtra during current Financial Year is given at Annexure -III .

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## ANNEXURE-I

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (d) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2911 for answer on 18.03.2025

## District wise Status of Audit of Gram Panchayats in State of Maharashtra for Financial Year 2023-24

| District Panchayat   |   Panchayat Count |   No. of Panchayats whose Audit is complete (Block Panchayat and Equivalent) | Gram Panchayat and Equivalent whose Audit is complete (In %)   |
|----------------------|-------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| AHMEDNAGAR           |              1323 |                                                                          715 | 54.00%                                                         |
| AKOLA                |               535 |                                                                          371 | 69.30%                                                         |
| AMRAVATI             |               841 |                                                                          720 | 85.60%                                                         |
| AURANGABAD           |               871 |                                                                          690 | 79.20%                                                         |
| BEED                 |              1034 |                                                                          810 | 78.30%                                                         |
| BHANDARA             |               541 |                                                                          537 | 99.30%                                                         |
| BULDHANA             |               870 |                                                                          580 | 66.70%                                                         |
| CHANDRAPUR           |               825 |                                                                          661 | 80.10%                                                         |
| DHULE                |               558 |                                                                          345 | 61.80%                                                         |
| GADCHIROLI           |               458 |                                                                          442 | 96.50%                                                         |
| GONDIA               |               548 |                                                                          483 | 88.10%                                                         |
| HINGOLI              |               563 |                                                                           99 | 17.60%                                                         |
| JALGAON              |              1159 |                                                                          438 | 37.80%                                                         |
| JALNA                |               779 |                                                                          405 | 52.00%                                                         |
| KOLHAPUR             |              1025 |                                                                          705 | 68.80%                                                         |
| LATUR                |               786 |                                                                          415 | 52.80%                                                         |
| NAGPUR               |               764 |                                                                          616 | 80.60%                                                         |
| NANDED               |              1310 |                                                                          639 | 48.80%                                                         |
| NANDURBAR            |               637 |                                                                          268 | 42.10%                                                         |
| NASHIK               |              1388 |                                                                          832 | 59.90%                                                         |
| OSMANABAD            |               622 |                                                                          322 | 51.80%                                                         |
| PALGHAR              |               473 |                                                                          269 | 56.90%                                                         |
| PARBHANI             |               704 |                                                                          328 | 46.60%                                                         |
| PUNE                 |              1386 |                                                                          860 | 62.00%                                                         |
| RAIGAD               |               811 |                                                                          337 | 41.60%                                                         |
| RATNAGIRI            |               847 |                                                                          651 | 76.90%                                                         |
| SANGLI               |               696 |                                                                          443 | 63.60%                                                         |
| SATARA               |              1495 |                                                                          772 | 51.60%                                                         |
| SINDHUDURG           |               432 |                                                                          357 | 82.60%                                                         |
| SOLAPUR              |              1025 |                                                                          567 | 55.30%                                                         |
| THANE                |               431 |                                                                          287 | 66.60%                                                         |

| WARDHA   |   521 |   483 | 92.70%   |
|----------|-------|-------|----------|
| WASHIM   |   491 |   187 | 38.10%   |
| YAVATMAL |  1201 |   965 | 80.30%   |
| Total    | 27950 | 17599 | 63.00%   |

## \_\_\_\_\_\_

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (g) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2911 for answer on 18.03.2025

## State wise adoption of eGramSwaraj at Panchayat level during Financial Year 2024-25

|   S. No | State Name        |   Total Number of Village Panchayats& Equivalent |   Village Panchayat onboard |   Village Panchayats& Equivalent With Online Payment |   Total Number of Block Panchayats& Equivalent |   Block Panchayat onboard |   Block Panchayats With Online Payment |   Total Number of Zila Panchayats& Equivalent |   Zila Panchayat onboard |   Zila Panchayats With Online Payment |
|---------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|       1 | ANDHRA PRADESH    |                                            13328 |                       13296 |                                                12970 |                                            660 |                       660 |                                    642 |                                            13 |                       13 |                                    13 |
|       2 | ARUNACHAL PRADESH |                                             2108 |                        2106 |                                                  222 |                                              0 |                         0 |                                      0 |                                            27 |                       25 |                                     8 |
|       3 | ASSAM             |                                             2662 |                        2197 |                                                 2176 |                                            191 |                       191 |                                    189 |                                            30 |                       29 |                                    27 |
|       4 | BIHAR             |                                             8054 |                        8054 |                                                 8045 |                                            534 |                       534 |                                    530 |                                            38 |                       38 |                                    38 |
|       5 | CHHATTISGAR H     |                                            11596 |                       11594 |                                                11516 |                                            146 |                       146 |                                    146 |                                            27 |                       27 |                                    27 |
|       6 | GOA               |                                              191 |                         190 |                                                   93 |                                              0 |                         0 |                                      0 |                                             2 |                        2 |                                     2 |
|       7 | GUJARAT           |                                            14656 |                       14599 |                                                13890 |                                            248 |                       248 |                                    248 |                                            33 |                       33 |                                    33 |
|       8 | HARYANA           |                                             6226 |                        6222 |                                                 5914 |                                            143 |                       143 |                                    134 |                                            22 |                       22 |                                    22 |
|       9 | HIMACHAL PRADESH  |                                             3615 |                        3614 |                                                 3540 |                                             81 |                        81 |                                     81 |                                            12 |                       12 |                                    12 |
|      10 | JHARKHAND         |                                             4345 |                        4345 |                                                 4329 |                                            264 |                       264 |                                    262 |                                            24 |                       24 |                                    24 |
|      11 | KARNATAKA         |                                             5954 |                        5954 |                                                 5937 |                                            238 |                       232 |                                    126 |                                            31 |                       31 |                                    28 |

## Annexure-II

|   S. No | State Name     |   Total Number of Village Panchayats& Equivalent |   Village Panchayat onboard |   Village Panchayats& Equivalent With Online Payment |   Total Number of Block Panchayats& Equivalent |   Block Panchayat onboard |   Block Panchayats With Online Payment |   Total Number of Zila Panchayats& Equivalent |   Zila Panchayat onboard |   Zila Panchayats With Online Payment |
|---------|----------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|
|      12 | KERALA         |                                              941 |                         941 |                                                  941 |                                            152 |                       152 |                                    152 |                                            14 |                       14 |                                    14 |
|      13 | MADHYA PRADESH |                                            23011 |                       23009 |                                                22980 |                                            313 |                       313 |                                    310 |                                            52 |                       52 |                                    52 |
|      14 | MAHARASHTR A   |                                            27917 |                       27894 |                                                26737 |                                            351 |                       351 |                                    307 |                                            34 |                       34 |                                    34 |
|      15 | MANIPUR        |                                             3180 |                         161 |                                                  123 |                                              0 |                         0 |                                      0 |                                            12 |                        6 |                                     4 |
|      16 | MEGHALAYA      |                                             6817 |                           0 |                                                    0 |                                           2241 |                         0 |                                      0 |                                             3 |                        3 |                                     0 |
|      17 | MIZORAM        |                                              842 |                         842 |                                                  832 |                                              0 |                         0 |                                      0 |                                             0 |                        0 |                                     0 |
|      18 | NAGALAND       |                                             1289 |                         186 |                                                    0 |                                              0 |                         0 |                                      0 |                                             0 |                        0 |                                     0 |
|      19 | ODISHA         |                                             6794 |                        6794 |                                                 6793 |                                            314 |                       314 |                                    314 |                                            30 |                       30 |                                    30 |
|      20 | PUNJAB         |                                            13237 |                       13222 |                                                 9775 |                                            152 |                       151 |                                    114 |                                            22 |                       22 |                                    19 |
|      21 | RAJASTHAN      |                                            11211 |                       11207 |                                                10837 |                                            361 |                       353 |                                    351 |                                            33 |                       33 |                                    33 |
|      22 | SIKKIM         |                                              199 |                         199 |                                                  195 |                                              0 |                         0 |                                      0 |                                             6 |                        6 |                                     6 |
|      23 | TAMILNADU      |                                            12525 |                       12525 |                                                12519 |                                            388 |                       388 |                                    388 |                                            36 |                       36 |                                    36 |
|      24 | TELANGANA      |                                            12991 |                       12768 |                                                12636 |                                            572 |                       540 |                                    508 |                                            32 |                       32 |                                    32 |
|      25 | TRIPURA        |                                             1194 |                        1185 |                                                 1174 |                                             75 |                        75 |                                     75 |                                             9 |                        9 |                                     9 |
|      26 | UTTARAKHAN D   |                                             7795 |                        7794 |                                                 7743 |                                             95 |                        95 |                                     95 |                                            13 |                       13 |                                    13 |
|      27 | UTTAR PRADESH  |                                            57691 |                       57691 |                                                57609 |                                            826 |                       826 |                                    818 |                                            75 |                       75 |                                    75 |
|      28 | WEST BENGAL    |                                             3339 |                        3339 |                                                 3338 |                                            345 |                       345 |                                    345 |                                            22 |                       21 |                                    21 |

| S. No   | State Name   |   Total Number of Village Panchayats& Equivalent |   Village Panchayat onboard |   Village Panchayats& Equivalent With Online Payment |   Total Number of Block Panchayats& Equivalent |   Block Panchayat onboard |   Block Panchayats With Online Payment |   Total Number of Zila Panchayats& Equivalent |   Zila Panchayat onboard |   Zila Panchayats With Online Payment |
|---------|--------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|---------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|--------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Total   | Total        |                                           263708 |                      251928 |                                               242864 |                                           8690 |                      6402 |                                   6135 |                                           652 |                      642 |                                   612 |

\_\_\_\_\_

## Annexure referred to in reply to part (g) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2911 for answer on 18.03.2025

## Adoption of eGramSwaraj in Maharashtra at Gram Panchayat level during Financial

## Year 2024-25

| Zilla Panchayat and Equivalent   |   Village Panchayat and Equivalent |   Village Panchayat onboard (eGS - PFMS) |
|----------------------------------|------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
| Ahmednagar                       |                               1323 |                                     1323 |
| Akola                            |                                535 |                                      535 |
| Amravati                         |                                841 |                                      841 |
| Aurangabad                       |                                870 |                                      870 |
| Beed                             |                               1034 |                                     1034 |
| Bhandara                         |                                541 |                                      541 |
| Buldhana                         |                                870 |                                      870 |
| Chandrapur                       |                                825 |                                      825 |
| Dhule                            |                                557 |                                      557 |
| Gadchiroli                       |                                458 |                                      458 |
| Gondia                           |                                548 |                                      548 |
| Hingoli                          |                                562 |                                      562 |
| Jalgaon                          |                               1160 |                                     1157 |
| Jalna                            |                                774 |                                      774 |
| Kolhapur                         |                               1025 |                                     1025 |
| Latur                            |                                786 |                                      785 |
| Nagpur                           |                                764 |                                      764 |
| Nanded                           |                               1309 |                                     1309 |
| Nandurbar                        |                                638 |                                      636 |
| Nashik                           |                               1387 |                                     1387 |
| Osmanabad                        |                                622 |                                      622 |
| Palghar                          |                                472 |                                      472 |
| Parbhani                         |                                704 |                                      704 |
| Pune                             |                               1384 |                                     1383 |
| Raigad                           |                                811 |                                      809 |
| Ratnagiri                        |                                844 |                                      843 |
| Sangli                           |                                696 |                                      696 |
| Satara                           |                               1490 |                                     1485 |
| Sindhudurg                       |                                430 |                                      430 |
| Solapur                          |                               1016 |                                     1015 |
| Thane                            |                                431 |                                      431 |
| Wardha                           |                                519 |                                      519 |
| Washim                           |                                491 |                                      491 |
| Yavatmal                         |                               1201 |                                     1201 |
| Total                            |                              27918 |                                    27902 |

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