Lok Sabha Question No. 5290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-24
Subject: Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Govind Makthappa Karjol

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5290

ANSWERED ON 24/03/2026

## RASHTRIYAGRAM SWARAJABHIYAN

## 5290. SHRI GOVIND MAKTHAPPA KARJOL:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) the details of the implementation status of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) during the last 5 years in Chitradurga District of Karnataka;

(b) the total funds allocated and released by the Union Government under RGSA to Karnataka and Chitradurga District, year-wise;

(c) the details of capacity building and training programmes conducted for elected representatives and Panchayat functionaries in Chitradurga District under RGSA;

(d) the steps taken by the Government to strengthen digital governance and e-Panchayat systems in Gram Panchayats of Chitradurga District; and

(e) the details of infrastructure support provided to Gram Panchayats, including Panchayat Bhavans, under the scheme in the district?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

(a) to (c) Panchayat, being 'Local Self Government', is a State subject. However, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) since the financial year 2022-23 in States/ UTs, including in Chitradurga District of the State of Karnataka. The main objective of the scheme is to build the capacity of Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) by creating a learning ecosystem especially through training to the Elected Representatives (ERs), functionaries and other stakeholders to develop their governance capabilities to function effectively and also by supporting for exposure visits, development of training modules and materials, etc.

Further, the scheme also provides support for the establishment of an institutional mechanism for the Capacity Building & Training and to create Panchayat infrastructure on a limited scale, like Gram Panchayat Bhawan, Computer and Co-location of Common Service Centres (CSCs) in Gram Panchayat Bhawan.

Revamped RGSA is demand-driven in nature. Funds are released to States/UTs based on the Annual Action Plans approved by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and the pace of expenditure. Release of funds is also subject to the submission of requisite documents such as Utilization Certificates and Auditor's Reports. The funds are to be utilized only for the

approved components as prioritized by the States/UTs. The Ministry releases the funds under the scheme to States/UTs only. The year-wise details of funds allocated and released since the launch of Revamped to the State of Karnataka, including Chitradurga district is as follows:

(Rs. in crore)

#For FY 2025-26, the releases comprise funds through both SNA till 30 th June 2025 and SNASPARSH since 1 st July 2025.

| 2022-23          | 2022-23         | 2023-24          | 2023-24         | 2024-25          | 2024-25         | 2025-26 (As on   | 2025-26 (As on   |
|------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|------------------|-----------------|------------------|------------------|
| Funds Allocate d | Fund Release d# | Funds Allocate d | Fund Release d# | Funds Allocate d | Fund Release d# | Funds Allocate d | Fund Release d#  |
| 36.00            | 36.00           | 20.00            | 20.00           | 16.25            | 16.25           | 20.00            | 20.00            |

Under the scheme of revamped RGSA, the Ministry provides support for Capacity Building & Training of elected representatives, functionaries, and other stakeholders of Panchayats in different categories, viz., general orientation and refresher training, thematic training, specialized training, panchayat development plan training, etc. Capacity-building initiatives have enabled Panchayat representatives to undertake participatory planning, particularly in the preparation and implementation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). A total of 11,57,048 participants have been trained so far, as of 28.02.2026, in the State of Karnataka. Further, as reported by the State of Karnataka, 23,896 elected representatives and Panchayat functionaries have been trained in Chitradurga district under Revamped RGSA since launch of the scheme.

(d) The Ministry is implementing the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) under RGSA across the country, including in Chitradurga District, which 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.

Further, the Ministry has also developed several other applications under the e-Panchayat MMP. The Meri Panchayat application provides citizens with access to information on Panchayat planning, activities, and the progress of works. Panchayat NIRNAY facilitates transparent conduct and management of Gram Sabha meetings. The AuditOnline application enables online auditing of Panchayat accounts and financial management, particularly for the utilization of Central Finance Commission grants. In addition, the Ministry has introduced SabhaSaar, an AI-enabled platform for voice-to-text transcription and summarisation of Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings, ensuring accurate documentation of proceedings.

For the financial year 2025-26, all 189 Panchayats of Chitradurga district have successfully uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). Additionally, all 189 Panchayats have been onboarded onto the eGS-PFMS platform. An amount of Rs. 68.116 crore has been disbursed as payments during the current year.

(e) Panchayat, being 'Local Government', is a State subject and part of the State list of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Thus, the primary responsibility of providing dedicated office infrastructure for Gram Panchayats lies with States/UTs. The States/ UTs

have to ensure that the Gram Panchayat Bhawan is available and functional, with provisions such as public seating, space for Gram Sabha meetings, information walls, multifunctional rooms, etc., to support effective governance and community use.

However, apart from training interventions, under RGSA, the Ministry supplements the efforts of States/UTs on a limited scale by supporting the establishment of institutional mechanisms for capacity building and training, and by providing infrastructural support such as construction of Gram Panchayat Bhawans, procurement of computers, co-location of Common Service Centres (CSCs) in Gram Panchayat Bhawans, development of Panchayat Learning Centres (PLCs), etc., on a limited scale with particular focus on the North Eastern States.

So far, in the State of Karnataka, the Ministry has approved the construction and co-location of 258 GP Bhawans and Common Service Centres (CSCs), along with 270 Panchayat Learning Centres (PLCs). Out of this, construction of 27 GP bhawans and 7 PLCs was approved for Chitradurga District.

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