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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
DEPARTMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 341
ANSWERED ON 17/03/2026
RELEASE OF CENTRAL SHARE OF THE CENTRALLY SPONSORED
SCHEMES
*341. Shri N K Premachandran:
Will the Minister of RURAL DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has initiated action to strengthen the
decentralized planning through Local Self Government (LSG)
and Panchayat, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has ensured the timely release of
central share of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes to the local
self-Government, if so, the details of action taken thereon;
(c) whether the Government has analysed the adverse impact of
addiction of liquor/mobile phones and drugs in the development
of rural areas, if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether the Union Government has initiated action to resolve
the limited developable land considering the high population
density, if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has initiated action to prevent the
human-wild animal conflicts in rural areas, if so, the details
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN)
(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Page 1 of 9STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *341 TO BE ANSWERED ON
17.03.2026 REGARDING “RELEASE OF CENTRAL SHARE OF THE
CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES”
(a) & (b): As informed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), 73rd
Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 has mandated the Gram
Panchayats to prepare their Gram Panchayat Development Plan
(GPDP) for economic development and social justice utilizing
resources available with them. Accordingly, MoPR promotes
decentralized and participatory planning through Gram Panchayat
Development Plans (GPDPs), which are prepared annually by Gram
Panchayats with active participation of local communities and in
convergence with various sectoral schemes.
Further, MoPR has introduced thematic approaches for the
Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) through
Panchayats. Nine themes aligned with SDGs have been identified to
guide Panchayats in preparing comprehensive and need-based
thematic Panchayat Development Plan. eGramSwaraj Portal has also
been developed to facilitate planning, budgeting, accounting, and
monitoring of Panchayat activities, thereby strengthening
transparency and accountability in decentralized governance.
To support these processes, the Ministry has been
implementing the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), which
aims to strengthen the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions for
inclusive, participatory planning and local governance. Under this
scheme, capacity building and training programmes are organized for
elected representatives and functionaries of PRIs to enable effective
planning, implementation, and monitoring of development
programmes at the grassroots level.
The Central share of funds under Centrally Sponsored Schemes,
including RGSA, which is being implemented by MoPR, is released to
States/Union Territories in accordance with the approved guidelines
of the respective schemes and subject to the fulfillment of prescribed
conditions, such as submission of utilization certificates, progress
reports, and other requisite documents.
Revamped RGSA is demand-driven in nature. Funds are released
to States/UTs based on the respective Annual Action Plan approved
by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and the pace of
expenditure. Release also requires submission of the requisite
documents, such as the utilization certificate and auditor’s report,
Page 2 of 9etc. Funds must be used only for approved components, as prioritized
by the State.
The implementation of RGSA is regularly reviewed through
Training Management Portal (TMP), meetings/video conferences,
field visits by officials of the Ministry, as well as pre-CEC meetings.
The Central Empowered Committee also reviews the implementation
of the Revamped RGSA while approving the Annual Action Plans of
States/UTs.
Further, as informed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs (MoHUA), as per entry 5 of List II – State List of the Seventh
Schedule of the Constitution of India, ‘Local Government’, that is to
say, the constitution and powers of municipal corporations,
improvement trusts, districts boards, mining settlement authorities
and other local authorities for the purpose of local self-government
or village administration, is a state subject.
As per 12th Schedule of the Constitution, as provided by 74th
Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, Urban Planning is a function
of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) /Urban Development Authorities.
Article 243W of Part IXA of the Constitution empowers state
legislature to endow the Municipalities with such powers and
authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as
institutions of self-government. This law may contain provision for
the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon Municipalities,
subject to such conditions as may be prescribed therein, which, inter
alia, includes (i) preparation of plans for economic development and
social justice; and (ii) the performance of functions and the
implementation of schemes as may be entrusted to them including
those in relation to the matters listed in the twelfth schedule.
It is, therefore, the primary responsibility of the State
Government to make adequate provisions for devolution of the 3Fs
(Functions, Funds and Functionaries) to the ULBs. MoHUA had also
framed the Model Municipal Laws (MML) in the year 2003 which aims
to consolidate and serves as guidance to state government to amend
the laws relating to the municipal governments in the states in
conformity with the provisions of the Constitution of India as
amended by the Constitution (Seventy-fourth Amendment) Act, 1992,
based on the principles of participation in, and decentralization,
autonomy and accountability of, urban self-government at various
levels, to introduce reforms in financial management and accounting
systems, internal resource generation capacity and organizational
Page 3 of 9design of Municipalities, to ensure professionalization of the
municipal personnel, and to provide for matters connected therewith
or incidental thereto. Among other reforms, it also envisaged
representation to municipalities on District Planning Committee /
Metropolitan Planning Committee (DPC/ MPC) for strengthening the
decentralized urban planning through Local Self Government.
Further, MoHUA initiated reform-linked funding under flagship
missions like Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation
(AMRUT). The Mission mandated a set of reforms such as E-
Governance, Constitution & Professionalisation of Municipal Cadre,
Augmenting double entry accounting, Urban Planning and city level
plans, etc. AMRUT 2.0 Mission has also attached mandatory reforms
on property tax and user charges and incentive based reforms on
water conservation, urban governance and energy efficiency.
The Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) had also, in its
recommendations, underscored the need to strengthen the fiscal and
institutional capacities of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) with a view to
enhancing service delivery, accountability and transparency in urban
governance. In pursuance of these recommendations, the MoHUA, in
coordination with the Department of Expenditure (DoE), has
undertaken a series of reforms aimed at improving the financial
management systems and governance frameworks of ULBs across
the country. These reforms include property tax reforms, fiscal
transparency and accountability, fund flow and PFMS integration,
governance and institutional strengthening, digital governance and
data systems, performance-based reforms for Million-plus cities and
capacity building and institutional support. The presence of duly
elected urban local bodies has been made a pre-condition for receipt
of XV FC grants. States were also advised to constitute and
operationalize State Finance Commission (SFCs) as per prescribed
timelines.
(c): As informed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
(MoSJE), to assess and to know the magnitude of the problem of
substance use in the country, a Comprehensive National Level Survey
on the Magnitude of Substance Abuse in India was conducted by the
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment through National
Drug Dependence Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS which was
published in 2019. However, it provided results at the level of States
and at the National level in terms of estimates of the number /
percentage of people using psychoactive substances and people
affected by substance use disorders. The methodology was not
geared to provide data at the level of districts or any other sub-state
Page 4 of 9level. The details of the Comprehensive National Survey on Extent
and Pattern of Substance Use in India conducted in 2018 may be seen
at:
https://socialjustice.gov.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/Survey%20Repo
rt636935330086452652.pdf
The Department has entrusted National Drug Dependence
Treatment Centre (NDDTC), AIIMS, to carry out the 2nd National
Survey on the Extent and Pattern of substance use in India to provide
National, State-level and District-level estimates of proportion and
absolute number of people who use various substances and people
who are suffering from substance use disorders (harmful users and
dependence on various substances) in India and also provide
information on substance use and its consequences in the specific
population groups.
MoSJE is the nodal Ministry for drug demand reduction in the
country. To tackle the issue of substance use, this Department
formulated and is implementing National Action Plan for Drug
Demand Reduction (NAPDDR), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under
which financial assistance is provided to:
i. State Governments/ Union Territory (UT) Administrations for
Preventive Education and Awareness Generation, Capacity
Building, Programmes for Drug Demand Reduction by
States/UTs etc.
ii. NGOS/VOs for running and maintenance of Integrated
Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs), Community based
Peer Led Intervention (CPLI) for early Drug Use Prevention
among Adolescents, Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODIC) and
District De- Addiction Centres (DDACs); and
iii. Government Hospitals for Addiction Treatment Facilities
(ATFS).
Following activities have been undertaken under NAPDDR scheme:
i. 349 Integrated Rehabilitation Centres for Addicts (IRCAs) that
provide in-patient treatment to drug users along with
counselling, detoxification/de-addiction, after care and re
integration into the social mainstream.
ii. 45 Community based Peer led Intervention (CPLI) programmes
work with children below 18 years age to create awareness
against drugs and teach life skills.
Page 5 of 9iii. 76 Outreach and Drop In Centres (ODICs) which provide safe
and secure space with provision of screening, assessment and
counselling and thereafter provide referral and linkage to
treatment and rehabilitation services.
iv. 154 Addiction Treatment Facilities (ATFs) in Government
hospitals.
v. 145 District De-Addiction Centres (DDACs) which provides all
three facilities provided by IRCA, ODIC & CPLI under one roof.
vi. All of these facilities have been geo-tagged for ease of access
to those in need.
vii. A Toll-free Helpline for de-addiction, 14446 is being maintained
by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment for providing
primary counselling and immediate referral services to the
persons seeking help through this helpline. More than 4.69 Lakh
calls have been received so far on the helpline number.
viii. Navchetna Modules, teacher training modules have been
developed by MoSJE for sensitizing students (6th-11th
standard), teachers and parents on drug dependence, related
coping strategies and life skills.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA):
i. Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) was launched on 15th
August 2020 by Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
in 272 identified most vulnerable districts on the basis of the
inputs received from NCB from supply side and on the basis of
the findings of the 1st National Survey and now it has been
extended to all districts of the country since August 2023.
Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan intends to reach out to the masses
and spread awareness about substance use with focus on
higher educational Institutions, university campuses & schools.
ii. Till now, through the various activities undertaken on ground,
25.99+ Crore people have been sensitized on substance use
including more than 9.39 Crore Youth and more than 6.40 Crore
Women. Participation of Educational Institutions has ensured
that the message of the Abhiyaan reaches children and youth of
the country. A strong force of more than 28,000 Master
Volunteers (MVs) have been identified and trained.
iii. MoUs have been signed with 8 Spiritual organizations The Art
of Living, Brahma Kumaris, Sant Nirankari Mission, ISKCON,
Shri Ram Chandra Mission, All World Gayatri Pariwar, Sivananda
Yoga Vedanta Dhanwantari Ashram and University of Patanjali
to support NMBA and conduct mass awareness activities.
iv. Awareness is also being spread through official Social Media
accounts of the Abhiyaan on X, Facebook & Instagram.
Page 6 of 9v. NMBA Website (http://nmba.dosje.gov.in) provides detailed
information and insights to the user/viewer about the Abhiyaan,
an online discussion forum, NMBA dashboard, e-pledge.
vi. The Department also conducts regular programmes in
association with states to spread the awareness against drug
use and its ill-effects.
(d): Yes, as informed by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
(MoHUA), ‘Land’ and ‘Colonization’ are State subjects. Therefore,
schemes related to land development for their citizens are
implemented by States/Union Territories (UTs). However, Ministry of
Housing and Urban Affairs supplements the efforts of States/UTs.
MoHUA has issued the Urban and Regional Development Plans
Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014 and
Model Building Bye-Laws, 2016 to guide States/UTs in improving land-
use planning, development controls, and more efficient urban form.
Further, MoHUA has issued the National Transit Oriented
Development Policy, 2017, promote integrated land use and transport
planning, high-density mixed land-use development in the influence
zone of transit stations, more efficient use of land, and planned urban
growth.
The Government in the Union Budget for Financial Year (FY)
2025-26 announced the setting up of Urban Challenge Fund (UCF)
with Central Assistance of ₹1 lakh crore to implement the projects
under three verticals viz. ‘Cities as Growth Hubs’, ‘Creative
Redevelopment of Cities’ and ‘Water and Sanitation’. Cabinet has
approved the UCF on 13 February, 2026.
Further, under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States for
Capital Investment (SSASCI) 2024–26, the Government is
encouraging States to undertake Transit Oriented Development
(TOD) to improve land-use efficiency and promote planned urban
development.
(e): As informed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change, the important steps taken by the Government to manage the
human-wildlife conflicts include the following:
i. The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 has been amended to
provide statutory status to management plans of the protected
areas, mandating consultations with the concerned Gram
Sabha.
ii. The Section 11 (1) (a) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972,
empowers the State Chief Wild Life Wardens to grant permits
Page 7 of 9for hunting animals falling in Schedule I of the Act, which
become dangerous to human life. Further, the Section 11 (1) (b)
of the Act empowers State Chief Wild Life Warden or any
authorized officer to grant permits for hunting of wild animals
falling under Schedule-II of the Act, if such animals have
become dangerous to human life or property.
iii. An advisory on dealing with human-wildlife conflict has been
issued by the Ministry on 6th February, 2021. The Ministry has
also issued Guidelines to States/UTs on 3rd June 2022 to
manage Human Wildlife conflict including damage to crops. The
advisory recommends coordinated interdepartmental action,
identification of conflict hot spots, adherence to Standard
Operating Procedures, establishment of rapid response teams,
formation of State and District level committees to review the
quantum of ex-gratia relief for its expeditious payments etc.
iv. The Ministry has released species-specific guidelines on
21.03.2023 for mitigation of Human Wildlife conflicts involving
Elephant, Gaur, Leopard, Snake, Crocodile, Rhesus Macaque,
Wild Pig, Bear, Blue Bull and Blackbuck taking a Harmonious
Coexistence Approach for addressing human-wildlife conflicts.
The Ministry has also issued guidelines for cross cutting issues
such as cooperation with media, occupational health and safety
in human-wildlife conflict mitigation, crowd management and
addressing health emergencies arising out of human-wildlife
conflict situations. Moreover, Field Manual for Frontline Staff on
Human-Elephant Conflict Management, has also been released
by the Ministry. Ministry has also released Guidelines on Eco-
friendly Measures to Mitigate Impacts on Linear Infrastructures
on Wildlife.
v. The Ministry provides financial for the assistance to State
Governments and Union Territory Administrations under the
Centrally Sponsored Schemes 'Development of Wildlife
Habitats' and 'Project Tiger and Elephant' management of
wildlife and its habitat in the country. The activities supported
include procurement of early warning systems, construction
and erection of physical barriers such as barbed wire fence,
solar, powered electric fence, bio-fencing, boundary walls etc.
to prevent the entry of wild animals into crop fields,
compensation for depredation by wild animals including cattle
lifting, crop damage, loss of life and property. Rapid Response
Teams are also deployed to mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflict.
Further, the Ministry enhanced the amount of ex-gratia relief in
case of death or permanent incapacitation due to wild animal
attacks in December 2023 from Rs. 5 lakhs to 10 lakhs under
these Schemes, subject to availability of funds, and the
Page 8 of 9payment of which is also governed by State specific
guidelines/provisions made in this regard.
vi. Advance technology like radio collaring, digital sensor walls
and E- surveillance are also used in human wildlife conflict
mitigation.
vii. The Ministry provides support to State Governments to organize
awareness generation, training and capacity building
programmes on human-wildlife conflict. The State Forest
Departments work with the local people to address the Human
Wildlife Conflict issues through periodic awareness campaigns
to sensitize, guide and advise the general public on human-
animal conflict including dissemination of information through
various forms of media. Further, State Forest Departments
engage with local communities to monitor the movement of
some wildlife species and to caution local people to avoid
human-animal conflict, prevent damage or loss of human life,
property and wildlife. The Ministry has also taken an initiative
for establishment of the Centre of Excellence for the Human
Wildlife Conflict management, at Salim Ali Centre for
Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), WII -South India
Centre at Coimbatore.
viii. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the
Wildlife Institute of India, in accordance with Section 380 (1) (g)
of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, have identified 32 major
tiger corridors in the country. The NTCA Guidelines (2012) and
Standard Operating Procedures guide tiger and habitat
management. Similarly, the Ministry has also identified 150
elephant corridors in the country in 2023. The Ministry along
with the State Governments and UT administrations prepares
Regional Action Plan to address the long-term conservation and
management of elephants in the contiguous landscape.
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