Parliament Question: Release of Central Share of the Centrally Sponsored Schemes

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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