Executive Summary:
This document contains the response of the Minister of State for Panchayati Raj to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the implementation of various schemes (RGSA, eGramSwaraj, Audit Online, SVAMITVA) in Gram Panchayats of Nashik. The response addresses concerns about digital connectivity, property card distribution, auditing of accounts, fund allocation, and support for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). The reference period includes financial years 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Key Points / Main Content:
Digital Connectivity and Scheme Implementation:
* Internet connectivity is available in all 1,387 Gram Panchayats in Nashik, with no reported issues hindering the implementation of eGramSwaraj, Audit Online, SVAMITVA, and RGSA schemes.
* In FY 2024-25, almost 100% (1,386) of Gram Panchayats in Nashik uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).
* Over ₹256 crore was transferred by the Gram Panchayats through the eGramSwaraj-Public Finance Management System interface as payments to vendors in FY 2024-25.
SVAMITVA Scheme and Audit Online Status:
* Under the SVAMITVA scheme, 1,433 villages have been covered, and 128,281 property cards have been prepared for 912 villages in Nashik.
* The accounts of 1,360 Gram Panchayats in Nashik District have been audited for the year 2023-24.
Fund Allocation and Utilisation:
* Funds under RGSA and the 15th Finance Commission grants are allocated/released to the States, which then allocates/releases to the Panchayats.
* Fund Allocation and Utilisation details for Nashik Gram Panchayats:
* 2022-23: RGSA: ₹57,00,000 (Allocated and Utilised); 15th Finance Commission: ₹2,04,35,39,000 (Allocated), ₹1,80,65,01,000 (Utilised)
* 2023-24: RGSA: ₹0 (Allocated and Utilised); 15th Finance Commission: ₹2,04,74,53,000 (Allocated), ₹1,62,06,12,937 (Utilised)
* 2024-25: RGSA: ₹6,87,50,000 (Allocated and Utilised); 15th Finance Commission: ₹1,77,70,92,194 (Allocated), ₹1,06,06,12,937 (Utilised)
Government Support and Schemes:
* The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) supports State Governments' efforts to strengthen PRIs, including financial assistance through various schemes.
* Ongoing schemes include:
* Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA): Focuses on capacity building, training, and infrastructural support for PRIs.
* Incentivization of Panchayats (IoP): Awards and financial incentives for best-performing Panchayats.
* Mission Mode Project on ePanchayats (MMPePanchayat): Promotes digitalization of Panchayats for efficiency, accountability, and transparency.
* These schemes are implemented across all Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) or PRIs in all States/UTs, including Maharashtra and its Nashik District.
* PRIs also receive Central Finance Commission (CFC) Grants for developmental works.
Impact Analysis:
Gram Panchayats in Nashik:
* Impact: Benefit from digital connectivity, scheme implementation, property card distribution, audited accounts, fund allocation, and government support.
* Action Required: Effectively utilize allocated funds, participate in capacity-building programs, implement e-governance projects, and strive for improved service delivery to qualify for incentives.
Department of Rural Development, Government of Maharashtra:
* Impact: Responsible for ensuring internet connectivity and the implementation of schemes at the Gram Panchayat level.
* Action Required: Continue to provide internet connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and coordinate with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for effective scheme implementation.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR):
* Impact: Responsible for supplementing and complementing the efforts of State Governments in strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions.
* Action Required: Continue implementing schemes such as RGSA, IoP, and MMPePanchayat, and provide financial support to State Governments for strengthening PRIs.
State Governments (including Maharashtra):
* Impact: Responsible for allocating and releasing funds to the Panchayats and ensuring the effective functioning of the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
* Action Required: Allocate and release funds to the Panchayats, coordinate with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and implement schemes for strengthening PRIs.
Key Entities Referenced
Nashik District: A district in Maharashtra State, India, which is the focus of the policy document concerning Gram Panchayats.
Gram Panchayats: Local self-government organizations at the village or small-town level in India. The document discusses their challenges and the implementation of various schemes.
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA): A centrally sponsored scheme aimed at strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through capacity building, training, and infrastructure support.
eGramSwaraj: An application to promote transparency and accountability in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Audit Online: A system for online auditing of Panchayat accounts, promoting transparency and accountability.
SVAMITVA Scheme: A scheme focused on mapping land ownership in rural areas using drone technology and providing property cards to villagers.
Maharashtra State Rural Development Department: The state government department responsible for rural development in Maharashtra, with which convergence support is being considered.
15th Finance Commission: The Fifteenth Finance Commission of India, which provides grants to states, including funds for Panchayati Raj Institutions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRYOF PANCHAYATI RAJ
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 4215
ANSWEREDON: 19.08.2025
GRAM PANCHAYATIN NASHIK
4215.SHRIRAJABHAU PARAGPRAKASHWAJE:
Will the Minister of PANCHAYATIRAJ be pleased to state;
(a) whether the Government is aware that many Gram Panchayats in Nashik, especially
in remote tribal and hilly areas, face challenges in implementing Rashtriya Gram
Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), e-GramSwaraj, Audit Online, and the SVAMITVA scheme
due topoor digitalconnectivity andlimitedtraining,if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether any assessment has been done on the status of property card distribution
under SVAMITVA and the regular auditing of Panchayat accounts through Audit
Online inNashik, if so, the detailsthereof;
(c) the details of the funds allocated and utilised by Nashik Gram Panchayats under
RGSAandthe 15thFinance Commission grantsduring the last three years; and
(d) whether the Government proposes any special steps or convergence support with the
Maharashtra State Rural Development Department to strengthen Panchayati Raj
institutions inNashik district, if so,the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FORPANCHAYATIRAJ
(PROF.S.P.SINGH BAGHEL)
(a) As perthe information receivedfrom the Department of Rural Development, Government
of Maharashtra, internet connectivity is available in all the 1,387 Gram Panchayats in Nasik.
There is no problem in implementing e-GramSwaraj, audit online and SVAMITVA and
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) schemes due any issue on digital connectivity.
Further, as per the information available with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in the financial
year 2024-25, 1,386 GPs (almost 100%) uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans
(GPDPs), and over ₹256 crore was transferred by the Gram Panchayats through the
eGramSwaraj–PublicFinanceManagement Systeminterfaceaspaymenttovendors.
1(b) Under the SVAMITVAScheme, a total of 1,433 villages have been covered and1, 28,281
property cards prepared for 912 villages. The accounts of 1,360 number of Gram Panchayats
inNasik District have beenaudited for the year2023-24.
(c) The funds under RGSA scheme and Central Finance Commission Grants are
allocated/released to the States and the State concerned, in turn, allocates/releases to the
Panchayts. As per the information provided by the Panchayati Raj Department, Government
of Maharashtra, the funds allocated to Gram Panchayats in Nashik District under RGSA
scheme & 15th FinanceCommission grantsandthe funds utilised bythemare asfollows:
Year RGSA 15th Finance Commission
Grants
Funds FundsUtilised FundsAllocated FundsUtilised
Allocated
2022-23 57,00,000 57,00,000 2,04,35,39,000 1,80,65,01,000
2023-24 0 0 2,04,74,53,000 1,62,06,12,937
2024-25 6,87,50,000 6,87,50,000 1,77,70,92,194 1,06,06,12,937
(d) Panchayat is a state subject, and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) supplements and
complements the efforts of State Governments, including fund support under the schemes for
strengthening and efficient functioning of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) on a
continuousbasis.
The MoPR isimplementing the following schemesat present:
(i) Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) with
the primary objective of strengthening the PRI by the way of capacity building and
training of the Elected Representatives (ERs) and the functionaries of the PRI, and
providing infrastructural support like Gram Panchayat Bhawan and computers and
peripherals;
(ii) Incentivization of Panchayats (IoP), a central component of the RGSA scheme, to
encourage a competitive spirit among PRI, under which awards, including financial
incentives, are givento the best-performing Panchayats in recognition of their goodwork
inimprovingservice delivery andpublic welfare;and
(iii) Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayats (MMP-ePanchayat), a central component
of the RGSAscheme, under which various e-governance projects are funded to promote
2the digitalization of Panchayats, bringing efficiency, accountability, and transparency to
the functioningof PRIandcontributing totheiroveralltransformation.
These schemes are implemented for all Rural Local Bodies (RLB) or PRI in all the
States/UTs inthe Country includinginMaharashtra anditsNasik District.
Besides, the PRI receive Central Finance Commission (CFC) Grants for various
developmentalworks thathelps instrengthening them invariousways.
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