Parliament Question: Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan Projects in Andhra Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2595 ANSWERED ON 04/08/2026 REVAMPED RASHTRIYA GRAM SWARAJ ABHIYAN PROJECTS IN ANDHRA PRADESH 2595. DR. GUMMA THANUJA RANI: Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has reviewed the reasons for non-approval of economic development and income generation projects under the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan in Andhra Pradesh, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has received proposals from Andhra Pradesh for rural livelihood, tourism, food processing or Self Help Group-based economic development projects under the Scheme; and (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) to (c) Panchayat, being a “Local Self Government”, is a State subject and part of the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Accordingly, strengthening Panchayat capacity is primarily the responsibility of States/UTs. However, the Ministry is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, namely the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), w.e.f. financial year 2022-23, with the objective of supporting Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) by imparting training to Elected Representatives (ERs) and other stakeholders to develop leadership abilities, thereby enabling Gram Panchayats to function effectively across all States/UTs. Under RGSA, Innovative and Economic Development and Income Enhancement is one of the components in which GP/cluster of GPs are being funded for micro projects on economic development and income enhancement. Financial assistance in the form of viability gap funding for micro projects catering to subject areas enlisted in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution for devolution to Panchayats is provided based on the merit of the proposal and its viability and sustainability. During FY 2025-26, the State of Andhra Pradesh has submitted 9 projects focused on rural livelihood, eco-tourism and Self-Help Groups, under the Innovative and Economic Development and Income Enhancement component of RGSA. Out of these, the Ministry has sanctioned 4 projects to the State of Andhra Pradesh amounting to Rs.16.50 crore, and the remaining 5 projects were deferred due to limited availability of time for implementation. The details of these projects may be seen at Annexure-I. 1Annexure-I Annex refer to in reply to Part (a) to (c) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2595 to be answered on 04/08/2026 The details of Innovative and Economic Development and Income Enhancement Projects submitted by the State of Andhra Pradesh under Revamped RGSA during FY 2025-26 S.No. Project Name Objectives Proposed Decision of the Cost Committee (Rs. in crore) 1. Araku – Camping and Establishment of an 5.00 Recommended the same Caravan Villages iconic bamboo-built with an amount of Rs.5.00 (Innovative) campus including stays, crore and being an income processing zones, generation project in wellness pods, trails, nature, shifted under the café, and workshops Economic Development and Income Enhancement component. 2. Kuchipudi – Heritage i. Preserve and promote 3.00 Recommended the same Village (Innovative) the cultural heritage of with an amount of Rs.3.00 Kuchipudi village crore and being an income ii. Create sustainable generation project in livelihood opportunities nature, shifted under the for local residents Economic Development iii. Improve and Income infrastructure and visitor Enhancement experience component. 3. Etikkopaka – Toy i. Safeguard the 3.00 Recommended the same Village (Innovative) traditional Etikoppaka with an amount of Rs.3.00 toy craft crore and being an income ii. Develop tourism generation project in infrastructure to increase nature, shifted under the footfall and market Economic Development access; and Income iii. Generate direct and Enhancement indirect employment, component. particularly for women and youth; 4. Empowerment of Gram Dedicated team of 6000 6.00 Recommended with an Panchayats to bring Community Resource amount of Rs.5.50 crore about Behavioral Persons (CRPs) will be subject to the condition Change on Solid Waste deployed to provide that 5500 Community Management Practices hands-on training to 60 Resource Persons (CRPs) in Rural Households of lakh households to bring as proposed in the Annual Andhra Pradesh about Behavioral Change Action Plan of the State, to 2(Innovative) on Solid Waste be taken into Management consideration. 5. Araku – Craft Village i. Completion of 60 3.50 The Committee took (Innovative) existing shop structures consideration of the into 30 functional retail proposal and decided that spaces. it may not be considered at ii. Establishment of a this stage due to limited Craft Bazaar. availability of time. 6. Gandikota – Lemon i. To develop essential 3.00 The Committee examined village (Innovative) tourist amenities, the proposal and decided to ii. To promote local defer it in view of paucity agriculture, and create of time to complete the employment activity within this opportunities through the financial year. establishment of a Market Plaza, Lemon Experience Center and Electric and Solar Buggies. 7. Maredumilli – Bamboo i. Establishment of 3.00 The Committee examined Village (Innovative) Andhra Bamboo the proposal and decided to Innovation Center defer it in view of paucity ii. Establishment of an of time to complete the iconic bamboo-built activity within this campus including stays, financial year. processing zones, wellness pods, trails, café, and workshops 8. Lepakshi – Silk Village i. Establishment of an 3.00 The Committee examined (Innovative) Information Centre with the proposal and decided to interactive exhibits. defer it in view of paucity ii. Development of a Silk of time to complete the Experience Centre with activity within this hands-on activities. financial year. 9. Uppada – Weaver i. Development of 3.00 The Committee examined Village (Innovative) Weavers Street for local the proposal and decided to artisans. defer it in view of paucity ii. Construction of of time to complete the Flying Decks for a activity within this unique coastal financial year. experience. **** 3