Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj addressed concerns regarding financial and administrative support for Gram Panchayats in rural and military background districts like Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, and the timely formulation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). The Ministry supplements state efforts through schemes like Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan and Central Finance Commission grants. The annual thematic GPDP campaign was launched on October 2nd, 2024, for the financial year 2025-26.
Key Points / Main Content:
Financial and Administrative Support:
The government acknowledges the importance of developing Gram Panchayats with adequate support.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj supports state governments through schemes such as Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.
Panchayats receive Central Finance Commission grants distributed by state governments based on State Finance Commission recommendations.
Financial assistance is available through Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) in some areas, but Jhunjhunu is not covered under these programs.
Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP):
GPDP is an annual participatory activity supported by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
A nationwide annual thematic GPDP campaign was launched on October 2nd, 2024, for the financial year 2025-26.
In Rajasthan, 11,162 out of 11,201 Gram Panchayats have prepared and uploaded their GPDPs on the eGramSwaraj portal.
In Jhunjhunu, 329 out of 332 Gram Panchayats have uploaded their GPDPs.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments:
Impact: Responsible for distributing Central Finance Commission grants to Panchayats, implementing rural area development, and coordinating with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for GPDP.
Action Required: Distribute funds to Panchayats based on State Finance Commission recommendations and continue coordinating on GPDP.
Gram Panchayats:
Impact: Receive financial and administrative support through various schemes and grants; responsible for preparing and uploading GPDPs.
Action Required: Utilize available funds for infrastructure development and capacity building and ensure timely preparation and upload of GPDPs on the eGramSwaraj portal.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj:
Impact: Supplements state efforts in rural development, provides planning guidelines and digital platforms for GPDP, and monitors plan preparation.
Action Required: Continue supporting state governments and Gram Panchayats through schemes and resources, monitor GPDP progress, and coordinate with states.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Panchayati Raj: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for Panchayati Raj institutions.
Rajasthan State: A state in India where the financial support for Gram Panchayats is being discussed.
Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan: A district in Rajasthan specifically mentioned as having potential issues with financial and administrative support for Gram Panchayats.
Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP): A plan formulated at the Panchayat level for development, which is a key focus of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan: A scheme implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for infrastructure development and capacity building in Gram Panchayats.
Central Finance Commission: An entity that provides grants to State Governments, which are then distributed among the Panchayats.
Border Area Development Programme (BADP): An initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide financial assistance to border areas.
Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP): An initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide financial assistance to villages, especially those in border areas.
GOVERNMENTOF INDIA
MINISTRYOF PANCHAYATI RAJ
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 4323
ANSWEREDON 19.08.2025
FINANCIALSUPPORT FORGRAM PANCHAYATOFRAJASTHAN
†4323.SHRIBRIJENDRASINGH OLA:
Will the Minister of PANCHAYATIRAJ be pleased to state:
(a)whether the Government aware that in rural and military background districts like
Jhunjhunu, the Gram Panchayats are not getting the expected financial and administrative
support underthe Central schemes, if so, the details thereof;
(b)if so, the reasons thereforthe details of the persons responsible for the same;
(c)whether 'Gram PanchayatDevelopment Plan (GPDP)' hasnot beenformulated ontime in
manyPanchayatsof Rajasthan StateincludingJhunjhunu, if so, the detailsthereof; and
(d)whether the Government has taken cognizance inthis regard and if so, the details thereof
andif not,the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FORPANCHAYATIRAJ
(PROF.S.P.SINGH BAGHEL)
(a)& (b) The Government is seized of the importance of development of Gram
Panchayats in all districts, including those with rural and border areas (with defence
backgrounds)with access to adequate financial and administrative support under various
schemes/programmes, prominent of which are the schemes implemented by the Ministry of
Rural Development. While ‘Panchayat’ is a State subject,the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is
supplementing and complementing the efforts of State Governments in facilitating rural areas
development through scheme such as Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan for infrastructure
development in Gram Panchayats and capacity building of its elected representatives and
functionaries. The Panchayats also receive Central Finance Commission grants (now, under the
15th Finance Commission).The Finance Commission grants are released to the respective State
Governments, which subsequently distribute the funds among the panchayats in accordance with
the acceptedrecommendations of the latest StateFinance Commission (SFC).
Further, the provision of financial assistance has been made under the initiatives of
Border Area Development Programme (BADP)and Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) of the
Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), and through convergence of resources from other schemes
1and programmes; thus, according due importance to development in border areas. However, the
District of Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan is not covered under the BADP and VVP programmes as per
the informationprovidedbyMoHA.
(c)& (d) The Panchayat Development Plan (PDP) is an annual participatory activity which
is supported by Ministry of Panchayati Raj through planning guidelines, digital platforms, and
monitoring in coordination with respective Governments of States and Union Territories. During
the financial year 2025-26, nationwide annual thematic PDP campaign was launched on 2nd
October, 2024 for participatoryandtimelyplanpreparation at Panchayatlevel.
As per Local Government Directory, there are 11,201 Gram Panchayats in Rajasthan and
as on13.08.2025, of which 11,162 Gram Panchayats (almost 100%) have preparedand uploaded
their Gram Panchayat Development Plans(GPDPs) on the eGramSwaraj portal. In Jhunjhunu, of
the 332Gram Panchayats,329Gram Panchayats(almost 100%) have uploadedtheirGPDPs.
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