Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj on 12th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
This report outlines the implementation of the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) in West Bengal to strengthen the governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Between FY 2022-23 and FY 2025-26, the State utilized ₹268.26 crore for capacity building and infrastructure, including the training of over 5.17 lakh elected representatives. Key current actions include the release of ₹8 crore in Central Share for FY 2026-27 and the ongoing digital integration of Gram Panchayats through e-governance portals.
Key Points / Main Content
Objectives and Funding Mechanism
RGSA is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme designed to develop governance capabilities and leadership roles among Elected Representatives (ERs) and Panchayat functionaries.
The scheme is demand-driven, with funds released based on Annual Action Plans (AAP) approved by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
Funding is contingent upon the pace of expenditure and the submission of requisite documentation by the State.
Infrastructure Development
The scheme supports the construction of Gram Panchayat Bhawans, procurement of computers, and co-location of Common Service Centers (CSCs).
In West Bengal, 199 Panchayat Bhawans were approved between FY 2023-24 and FY 2025-26, with 124 completed and 75 currently under construction.
Out of 1,712 approved computer units, 1,185 were procured as of August 5, 2026.
Data indicates that 87 out of 3,339 Gram Panchayats in the state currently lack their own buildings.
Capacity Building and Training
A total of 5,17,632 ERs were trained on rural governance between FY 2022-23 and FY 2025-26.
For the current FY 2026-27, 10,111 representatives have been trained as of August 2026.
Training is extended to all stakeholders of Panchayati Raj Institutions to ensure effective local body functioning.
Digital Enablement (e-Panchayat)
The e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) is being implemented to improve transparency and efficiency at the grassroots level.
267 Panchayats in West Bengal have been onboarded on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal.
1,881 Gram Panchayats have uploaded their Development Plans on the eGramSwaraj Portal for the 2026-27 plan year.
Impact Analysis
Stakeholder: Elected Representatives (ERs) and Panchayat FunctionariesImpact: They benefit from enhanced leadership skills and governance knowledge, enabling them to manage local bodies more effectively.
Action Required: Actively participate in scheduled training programs and apply governance capabilities to local administration.
Stakeholder: State Government of West BengalImpact: Receives financial and structural support to upgrade rural infrastructure and modernize local administration.
Action Required: Complete the construction of the remaining 75 Panchayat Bhawans and submit timely AAPs and expenditure reports to secure subsequent fund installments.
Stakeholder: Gram Panchayats (Local Bodies)Impact: Gain access to improved physical infrastructure (Bhawans) and digital tools (computers/portals) to increase operational transparency.
Action Required: Ensure 100% onboarding on the GeM portal and timely uploading of Development Plans to the eGramSwaraj portal.
Key Entities Referenced
Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA): A centrally sponsored scheme aimed at strengthening the governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions through training and infrastructure support.
West Bengal: The specific state where the implementation, funding utilization, and infrastructure development of the RGSA scheme are detailed.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj: The primary central ministry responsible for implementing the RGSA scheme and the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project.
Central Empowered Committee (CEC): The body that accords approval to unit components based on the Annual Action Plan submitted by states for fund release under RGSA.
e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP): A project implemented to promote digital enablement, transparency, and efficiency in Panchayats through portals like eGramSwaraj.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
IMPLEMENTATION OF RASHTRIYA GRAM
SWARAJ ABHIYAN (RGSA) IN WEST BENGAL
प्रव तथ: 12 AUG 2026 2:35PM by PIB Delhi
Panchayat, being “Local Self Government”, is a State subject and part of the State list of the Seventh
Schedule of the Constitution of India. However, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing the
Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) since the financial
year 2022-23 in States/ UTs. The main objective of the scheme is to strengthen the capacity of Panchayati
Raj institutions (PRIs) by imparting training to Elected Representatives (ERs), Panchayat Functionaries
and other stakeholders to develop their governance capabilities for leadership roles, enabling the Gram
Panchayats and Local bodies to function effectively across all States/UTs including the State of West
Bengal.
Apart from different trainings, the Scheme also supports development of Panchayat infrastructure like
Gram Panchayat Bhawan, Computer and Co-location (on a limited scale) of Common Service Centers
(CSCs) in Gram Panchayat Bhawan to the States/ UTs including in the State of West Bengal.
Under Revamped RGSA, the Central Empowered Committee of RGSA accords approval to the units
under various components based on the Annual Action Plan (AAP) submitted by the State/UT. During the
last four years (FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26), an amount of Rs.130.65 crore was released as Central Share
to the State of West Bengal under the Scheme. Out of which, Rs.268.26 crore has been utilized by the
State. Utilization of funds includes Central Share, State Share and unspent balance from previous years.
A total of 5,17,632 elected representatives of the State of West Bengal were trained on various aspects on
rural governance from FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26. In addition, 199 units for the construction of Panchayat
Bhawans and 1,712 units of Computers were approved under the scheme from FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-
26. The State has reported that 124 Panchayat Bhawan have been constructed and 1,185 units of
computers have been procured during FY 2023-24 to 2026-27 (as on 5th August 2026).
The State has also reported that all stakeholders of Panchayati Raj Institutions are invited to participate in
various training programmes conducted under the Scheme.
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), the pace of expenditure by the State
and submission of requisite document for release of funds. The funds are utilized only for the approved
components as prioritized by the States/UTs. The Ministry releases the funds under the scheme to
States/UTs only. Rs.8.00 crore as Central Share in the 1st Instalment was released to the State of West
Bengal in the FY 2026-27 (as on 10th July 2026).
As informed by the State, 199 units of the construction of Gram Panchayat Bhawans have been approved
from FY 2023-24 to 2025-26 under the scheme of Revamped RGSA, out of which 124 units have been
completed till 5th August 2026 and remaining 75 units are different stages of completion. As per the
information submitted in the Annual Action Plan of RGSA in the FY 2025-26 by the State, only 87 GramPanchayats out of 3,339 do not have own building. Under Revamped RGSA Scheme, component wise
fund has not been released to the States/UTs. State/UTs utilized the funds based on the approved
components of their AAPs as per the priority.
To promote e-enablement of Panchayats, the Ministry is implementing the e-Panchayat Mission Mode
Project (MMP), which has strengthened transparency, efficiency and governance at the grassroots level.
As per the information available on Government e Marketplace (GeM) Portal, 267 Panchayats have
adopted/ on-boarded on GeM. 1,881 Gram Panchayats have uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development
Plan on eGramSwaraj Portal for the Plan Year 2026-27 in the State of West Bengal as on 06.08.2026. As
informed by the State Govt. of West Bengal, a total of 10,111 elected representatives have been trained as
on date under the scheme in FY 2026-27.
This information was given by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in a written
reply in Rajya Sabha on 12th August 2026.
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