Lok Sabha Question No. 285 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-02
Subject: Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Malaiyarasan D

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 285

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02/12/2025

## RASHTRIYAGRAM SWARAJ ABHIYAN IN TAMILNADU

## 285. SHRI MALAIYARASAN D:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) the features of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), including its objectives and key components aimed at strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions;
- (b) the number of Gram Panchayats covered under the scheme in Tamil Nadu so far, especially in Kallakurichi Lok Sabha Constituency;
- (c) the total financial allocation made for RGSA in Tamil Nadu, especially in Kallakurichi Lok Sabha Constituency;
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to enhance the capacity of Panchayat members and officials through training programs, workshops and other initiatives under RGSA;
- (e) the impact of RGSA on improving governance, infrastructure and delivery of public services at the grassroots level in Tamil Nadu; and
- (f) the future plans for expanding the scope of RGSA, including the integration of more Gram Panchayats and enhancement of services and infrastructure at the grassroots level?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(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.

Under revamped scheme, capacity building and training of elected representatives, functionaries and other stakeholders of Panchayats supported under different categories viz. basic orientation, 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, 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.

(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, 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 Development Program (MDP). Ministry also organizes workshop on different subjects and sharing of best practices for cross State learning.

Since FY 2022-23 under the scheme, (as on 25.11.2025) an amount of Rs. 90.42 cr. (Central & State Share) has been released to the State of Tamil Nadu out of which Rs. 127.86 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. As reported by the State of Tamil Nadu, a total of 12,482 Gram Panchayats are covered under the scheme of RGSA in the State, including 461 Gram Panchayats within the Kallakurichi Lok Sabha Constituency.

(e) & (f) The Ministry has been implementing the revamped RGSA to strengthen digital governance, and will, in the future, continue to focus on deepening interoperability among existing platforms, expanding citizen-centric service modules, and upgrading technological infrastructure to support more efficient planning, monitoring, and delivery of essential services.

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 2 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 Panchayat level in Tamil Nadu during 2024-25

|   Sl. No. | Parameter                                           | Count   |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------|---------|
|         1 | Total Number of Village Panchayats &Equivalent      | 12,525* |
|         2 | Village Panchayats onboard on eGramSwaraj           | 12,525  |
|         3 | Village Panchayats &Equivalent with Online Payment  | 12,520  |
|         4 | Total Number of Panchayats with approved GPDP       | 12,500  |
|         5 | Total Number of Block Panchayats &Equivalent        | 388     |
|         6 | Block Panchayats onboard on eGramSwaraj             | 388     |
|         7 | Block Panchayats with Online Payment                | 388     |
|         8 | Total Number of Block Panchayats with approved GPDP | 388     |
|         9 | Total Number of Zila Panchayats &Equivalent         | 36      |
|        10 | Zila Panchayats onboard on eGramSwaraj              | 36      |
|        11 | Zila Panchayats with Online Payment                 | 36      |
|        12 | Total Number of Zila Panchayats with approved GPDP  | 36      |

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