Lok Sabha Question No. 4949 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Gram Panchayat under RGSA
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4949

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## GRAMPANCHAYATUNDER RGSA

## 4949. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) the features of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA);

(b) the number of Gram Panchayats covered under the said scheme within Tamil Nadu so far especially Kallakurichi Constituency;

(c) the total financial allocation made for the RGSA in Tamil Nadu and the number of this allocation has been utilized for capacity building, infrastructure development and improving governance at the Panchayat level;

(d) the steps taken by the Government to enhance the capacity of Panchayat members and officials through training programmes, workshops, and other initiatives under the RGSA;

(e) the impact of the RGSA on improving governance, infrastructure and the delivery of public services at the grassroots level in Tamil Nadu; and

(f) the future plans for expanding the scope of the RGSA including the integration of more Gram Panchayats and enhancement of services and infrastructure at the grassroots level?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

(Prof. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) The major objectives/features of Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) are as under:

(i) Develop the capacity of elected representatives of PRIs for leadership Roles to enable the Gram Panchayats to function effectively as third tier of Government;

(ii) Strengthening Gram Sabhas to function effectively as the basic forum of people's participation within the Panchayat system.

(iii) Promote e-governance and other technology driven solutions to enable good governance in Panchayat administrative efficiency and improved service delivery with transparency and accountability;

(iv) Promote devolution of powers and responsibilities to Panchayats according to the spirit of the Constitution and PESA Act 1996; etc.

(b) to (d) The scheme is being implemented since financial year 2022-23 in States/ UTs including Tamil Nadu with main objective of capacitating Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) through imparting training to the Elected Representatives (ERs), functionaries and other stakeholders to develop their governance capabilities for leadership roles to enable the Panchayats to function effectively. Under revamped scheme capacity building and training of elected representatives, functionaries and other stakeholders of Panchayats supported under different categories viz. basic orientation and refresher training, thematic training, specialized training, panchayat development plan training, etc. Apart from different trainings, scheme also supports for exposure visits, development of training modules and materials, etc. In addition, a new initiative has also been taken for capacity building and training of elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayats through institutes of excellence under Leadership/Management DevelopmentProgram (MDP). Ministry also organizes workshop on different subjects and sharing of best practices for cross State learning.

Further, the scheme also provides support for establishment of institutional mechanism for the Capacity Building & Training and to create Panchayat infrastructure like Gram Panchayat Bhawan, Computer and Co-location of Common Service Centres (CSCs) in Gram Panchayat Bhawan on limited scale. Under scheme funds were released to States/ Union territories not to Districts/Panchayats.

Since FY 2022-23 under the scheme, (as on 29.03.2025) an amount of Rs. 107.37 cr. (Central & State Share) has been released to the State of Tamil Nadu out of which Rs. 98.17 cr. has been utilized against the approved components of RGSA which includes capacity building, infrastructure development for improving governance at the Panchayat level. Utilization of funds includes unspent balance of previous years.

(e) & (f) Under the Mission Mode Project (MMP) of revamped scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) the Digital India Programme supported to enhance the eGovernance capabilities of Panchayats, ensuring better service delivery, transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in Panchayat governance. This is achieved through initiatives like eGramSwaraj, which enables Panchayats to prepare and upload their Annual Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) online, and integration with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) and Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for streamlined financial transactions and transparent procurement.

The e-GramSwaraj is highly beneficial in monitoring the work done in the panchayats by enhancing transparency and accountability through real-time tracking of developmental activities and financial expenditures. It simplifies work-based accounting, integrates with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) for accurate financial reporting, and allows comprehensive monitoring of projects, including geo-tagging of assets.

Further, applications developed by the Ministry like Meri Panchayat has endeavored to bring transparency in Panchayat Governance by making information on planning, activities and progress of works in Panchayat accessible to public. Similarly, Panchayat NIRNAY is an online application aims at bringing transparency and better management in conduct of Gram Sabhas by Panchayats.

An application of 'AuditOnline' has been developed for online audits of Panchayat accounts and their financial management. AuditOnline for transparent auditing of Central

Finance Commission funds utilization to strengthen financial management of Panchayats launched in April 2020. The adoption of eGramSwaraj at the Panchayat level in Tamil Nadu during FY 2024-25 highlights the impact of RGSA.

## Adoption of eGramSwaraj at the Panchayat level in Tamil Nadu during FY 2024

-25

| Total Number of Village Panchayats &Equivalent     | 12,525   |
|----------------------------------------------------|----------|
| Village Panchayat onboard                          | 12,525   |
| Village Panchayats &Equivalent with Online Payment | 12,519   |
| Total No. of Panchayats with approved GPDP         | 11,962   |
| Total Number of Block Panchayats &Equivalent       | 388      |
| Block Panchayat onboard                            | 388      |
| Block Panchayats with Online Payment               | 388      |
| Total Number of Zila Panchayats &Equivalent        | 36       |
| Zila Panchayat onboard                             | 36       |
| Zila Panchayats with Online Payment                | 36       |

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