Parliament Question: Financial Assistance to Gram Panchayat

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1419 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2026 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO GRAM PANCHAYAT 1419. SHRI DEVESH SHAKYA: Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to State: (a) the number of Gram Panchayats of Etah-Kasganj Lok Sabha Constituency targeted to be connected with high speed broadband and digital service centres and the number of Gram Panchayats out of the said Panchayats where these services are fully operational at present; (b) whether the Government proposes to provide direct financial assistance and more administrative powers to Gram Panchayats for effective operation of solid and liquid waste management, sanitation and public utilities at the local level, if so, the details thereof; and (c) whether the Government proposes to implement the 'Panchayat Udyog Model' or any similar scheme for generating employment and self-employment at the local level for rural youth through Gram Panchayats, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) All Gram Panchayats across the country have access to internet connectivity through multiple mediums, including Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) connections and services provided by private Internet Service Providers (ISPs). As per the information available on the eGramSwaraj portal, nearly all Gram Panchayats regularly prepare and upload their annual Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) on the portal, indicating that they are accessing internet services. Further, as per the information furnished by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), BharatNet status in Etah and Kasganj is as under: District No. of GPs planned No. of GPs planned No. of GPs No. of GPs No. of GPs in Ph-I & II for in ABP for connected in connected in operational implementation implementation Ph-I & II ABP during June 2026 Etah 399 178 399 1 33 Kasganj 228 196 228 19 22 1The Department has further informed that the Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP) was approved by the Union Cabinet on 04.08.2023 for upgradation of the existing BharatNet Phase-I and Phase-II network to ring topology, along with operation and maintenance of the network for a period of ten years. (b) The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) with effect from the financial year 2022–23 to strengthen the institutional capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Under the scheme, capacity-building support is provided to elected representatives, Panchayat functionaries and other stakeholders through basic orientation and refresher programmes, thematic interventions, specialised training and Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP)-related programmes. During the year 2025–26, 1,90,576 trainings were imparted under Theme 5 – Clean and Green Village, which includes effective operation of solid and liquid waste management, sanitation and public utilities at the local level. Further, the Sixteenth Finance Commission has recommended that 50% of the Basic Grant be earmarked for 'Sanitation and Solid Waste Management' and/or 'Water Management'. Flexibility has been provided to Rural Local Bodies to utilize these funds in accordance with local requirements, including operation and maintenance (O&M) of sanitation infrastructure, solid and liquid waste management, water management. This financial support enables Gram Panchayats to effectively deliver essential public services at the local level. Further, under the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP), the Ministry has developed digital applications such as eGramSwaraj and mActionSoft to facilitate planning, implementation and monitoring of Gram Panchayat Development Plans and geo-tagging of assets and works, including those relating to sanitation and waste management. These applications promote transparency, accountability and effective monitoring of Panchayat activities. (c) No such scheme is being implemented by Ministry of Panchayati Raj, however, the Ministry continues to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions through initiatives such as the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) for capacity building and the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) for promoting digital governance, planning, transparency and efficient service delivery. Employment generation and self-employment programmes for rural youth are implemented by the concerned Ministries/Departments through their respective schemes, with Panchayati Raj Institutions playing an important role in local planning and implementation, wherever applicable. *** 2