**Executive Summary**
This report responds to a question in Lok Sabha (Unstarred Question No. 386), answered on December 2, 2025, regarding the implementation of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) in Tamil Nadu, including the Dharmapuri constituency. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing the revamped RGSA scheme to strengthen the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions. As of November 25, 2025, Rs. 90.42 crore has been released to Tamil Nadu under the scheme, with Rs. 127.86 crore utilized.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **RGSA Implementation:**
* The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing the revamped RGSA scheme w.e.f. FY 2022-23.
* The scheme aims to build the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through training.
* Training is provided to elected representatives, functionaries, and other stakeholders to enhance their governance capabilities.
* The scheme covers all States/UTs, including Dharmapuri constituency of Tamil Nadu.
* **Financial Details:**
* Rs. 90.42 crore has been released to Tamil Nadu since FY 2022-23 (as on November 25, 2025).
* Rs. 127.86 crore has been utilized against approved components of RGSA, including capacity building and infrastructure development.
* Funds are released to States/Union territories, not to Districts/Panchayats.
* **e-Governance Initiatives:**
* 285 Gram Panchayats in Dharampuri constituency have been onboarded under the e-Gram Swaraj, audit online, Meri Panchayat, and Panchayat NIRNAY platforms.
* These platforms aim to enhance e-governance, transparency, and accountability.
* **Capacity Building and Training:**
* Training is provided under different categories, including basic orientation, refresher, thematic, and specialized training (e.g., e-governance, digital literacy, panchayat development plan).
* Support is provided for exposure visits, development of training modules, and materials.
* Capacity building and training are conducted through institutes of excellence under the Leadership/Management Development Program (MDP).
* The Ministry organizes workshops to facilitate the sharing of best practices.
* **Infrastructure Support:**
* The scheme supports the establishment of institutional mechanisms for capacity building and training.
* It also supports the creation of Panchayat infrastructure like Gram Panchayat Bhawan, Computer and Co-location of Common Service Centres (CSCs) in Gram Panchayat Bhawan to the States/ UTs including Tamil Nadu on limited scale.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Elected Representatives (ERs), Functionaries, and other stakeholders of Panchayats**
* **Impact:** Enhanced governance capabilities and leadership skills to enable effective functioning of Panchayats. Access to various training programs, exposure visits, and resources.
* **Action Required:** Participate in the provided training programs and utilize the available resources to improve governance and leadership within their respective Panchayats.
**Stakeholder: Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Tamil Nadu (including Dharmapuri constituency)**
* **Impact:** Strengthened capacity through the implementation of RGSA, leading to improved governance and service delivery at the local level. Increased transparency and accountability through the adoption of e-governance platforms.
* **Action Required:** Actively participate in the RGSA program and utilize the allocated funds and resources to improve infrastructure, capacity building, and e-governance.
**Stakeholder: State Government of Tamil Nadu**
* **Impact:** Receives financial support and resources to implement RGSA and strengthen PRIs across the state. Responsible for ensuring the effective utilization of funds and the successful implementation of the scheme.
* **Action Required:** Continue to implement RGSA effectively, utilize the released funds for capacity building and infrastructure development, and ensure the adoption of e-governance tools across all Panchayats.
Key Entities Referenced
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA): A revamped centrally sponsored scheme aimed at building the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through training and development of elected representatives and functionaries.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj: The primary ministry responsible for implementing the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs): Local self-government institutions at the village or rural level, the target beneficiaries of the RGSA scheme.
Tamil Nadu: The state where the RGSA scheme is being implemented, specifically mentioned in the context of funds released and utilization.
Dharmapuri: A constituency in Tamil Nadu where the RGSA scheme is being implemented and for which specific details are provided.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRYOF PANCHAYATI RAJ
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 386
ANSWEREDON 02/12/2025
IMPLEMENTATION OFRASHTRIYAGRAM SWARAJ ABHIYAN
386. SHRIMANI A:
Will the Minister of PANCHAYATIRAJ be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has implemented the revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj
Abhiyan (RGSA) inTamil Nadu, includinginthe Dharmapuri constituency, tostrengthen
the capacityof elected representativesandPanchayatiRaj Institutions (PRIs);
(b) if so, the details of funds allocated, released and utilized for capacity building, training
and infrastructure development of Panchayats in Dharmapuri district since the inception
of the revampedscheme;
(c) the details and number of Gram Panchayats in Dharmapuri constituency that have been
onboarded under the e-Gram Swaraj, audit online, Meri Panchayat and Panchayat
NIRNAYplatformsfor enhancing e-governance,transparency andaccountability;
(d) the details of the measures taken to strengthen Gram Sabha participation, leadership
development of elected representatives, and digital empowerment of Panchayat
functionariesinrural andtribal areasof Dharmapuri; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to provide additional support or infrastructure under
RGSA to ensure 100 percent adoption of digital governance tools in all Panchayats of
Dharmapuri constituency, if so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRIRAJIVRANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)
(a) & (b) The Ministry is implementing Revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme of
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) w.e.f. financial year 2022-23 with main objective
for building the capacity of Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) through imparting 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,
across allStates/UTs includingDharmapuri constituencyof Tamil Nadu.
Since FY 2022-23 under the scheme, (as on 25.11.2025) an amount of Rs. 90.42 cr.
(Central & State Share) hasbeen releasedto the State of Tamil Nadu out of which Rs. 127.86
cr. has been utilized against the approved components of RGSA which includes capacity
1building, infrastructure development for improving governance at the Panchayat level.
Utilization of funds includes unspent balance of previous years. Under the scheme funds are
releasedtoStates/ Union territoriesnot toDistricts/Panchayats.
(c )As reported by the State, 285 Gram panchayats in Dharampuri constituency have been
onboarded under the e-GramSwaraj, audit online, Meri Panchayat, and Panchayat NIRNAY
platformsfor enhancinge-governance, transparency,andaccountability.
(d) & (e) Under the scheme capacity building and training of elected representatives,
functionaries and other stakeholders of Panchayats supported under different categories viz.
basic orientation and refresher training, thematic training, specialized training covering e-
governance/ digital literacy, panchayat development plan training, etc. Apart from different
trainings, scheme also supports for exposure visits, development of training modules and
materials, etc. In addition, a major step has also been taken for capacity building and training
of elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayats through institutes of excellence
under Leadership/Management Development Program (MDP). The Ministry also organizes
workshops on various subjects and facilitates the sharing of best practices for cross State
learning.
Further, the scheme also provides support for establishment of institutional mechanism
for the Capacity Building & Training and to create Panchayat infrastructure like Gram
Panchayat Bhawan, Computer and Co-location of Common Service Centres (CSCs) in Gram
Panchayat Bhawan tothe States/UTsincludingTamil Nadu onlimitedscale.
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