Parliament Question: Centrally Sponsored Schemes

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 369 ANSWERED ON 21.07.2026 CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES 369: SHRI KHALILUR RAHAMAN: Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state: a. the details of funds allocated, utilized and remaining unutilised under Centrally Sponsored Schemes for the development of Panchayats in West Bengal during the last five years; and b. whether any specific funds have been earmarked for Panchayats to support the development of various social groups, deprived sections and for promoting employment, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) & (b) Panchayat, being “Local Self Government”, is a State subject. Therefore, all matters including the development of Panchayats come within the purview of States. Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) supplements and complements the efforts of State Governments, including fund support under the schemes towards strengthening and efficient functioning of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on a continuous basis. MoPR is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) since the financial year 2022-23 in States/UTs, including the State of West Bengal. The main objective of the scheme is to build the capacity of Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) by creating a learning ecosystem, especially through the impartment of 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 and also by supporting for exposure visits, development of training modules and materials, etc. 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. 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. 1During the last five years FY (2021-22 to 2025-26), an amount of Rs.145.79 crore was released to the State of West Bengal as Central Share. Out of which, Rs.182.02 crore has been utilized (which also includes the previous year's unspent balance) on the approved activities under the RGSA and Revamped RGSA, and Rs.25.00 lakh has been surrendered during FY 2025-26. The funds are released under RGSA for capacity building of the elected representatives and functionaries of the PRIs from all socio-economic groups. Funds for the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) under the scheme are earmarked in proportion to their population in the country. *** 2