Lok Sabha Question No. 4332 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-19
Subject: Panchayati Raj Institutions
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4332

ANSWERED ON: 19.08.2025

## PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS

## 4332. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state;

(a) the manner in which the Ministry proposes to improve the convergence of centrally sponsored schemes with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to ensure integrated and participatory rural development, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the policies to strengthen the role of Panchayats in local economic development, including the promotion of rural enterprises, skilling, and livelihood generation; and

(c) the manner in which the Ministry coordinate with State Election Commissions to strengthen the democratic processes in Panchayati Raj Institutions, including timely conduct of elections and grievance redressal?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) & (b) '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 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, all matters relating to Panchayats, including policies to strengthen the role of Panchayats in local economic development comes within jurisdiction of the State Government.

There has been joint efforts of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) and Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) to impart training to the elected representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the functionaries of the PRIs as also the Communitybased Organisations (CBOs) for preparation of participatory and inclusive Panchayat

Development Plans at all levels and their implementation by converging the financial and non -financial resources available under the Central and State Finance Commissions Grants, Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes and the Own Sources of Revenue. The MoPR, in particular, has been continuously supporting the States/UTs for the capacity building and training of the PRIs and their functionaries for preparation of the theme-based Panchayat Development Plans revolving the 29 subjects entrusted to the PRIs for Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) by convergence of resources at their command and available from various sources.

The schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), National Social Assistance Programme, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin etc. of the MoRD are implemented with active and effective convergence mechanism for rural development, where the PRIs in particular are responsible for identification of beneficiaries, awareness generation, participatory plan preparation and obtaining the approval thereof through the Gram Sabhas, implementation and monitoring etc.

(c) The Ministry of Panchayati Raj sends advisories to the Panchayati Raj Department of States/UTs, from time to time, to hold the Panchayat elections on time. This Ministry does not coordinate with State Election Commissions on the matters relating conduct of Panchayat elections.

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