**Summary:**
This document summarizes the Indian Ministry of Panchayati Raj's (MoPR) response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1541, answered on July 29, 2025, regarding schemes to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
The MoPR states that while Panchayats are a state subject, the Ministry supplements state government efforts through centrally sponsored schemes aimed at strengthening and improving the functioning of PRIs. The primary scheme is the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), which focuses on capacity building and training for Elected Representatives (ERs) and functionaries. This aims to develop governance capabilities, enable effective functioning of Gram Panchayats, and facilitate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through localization at the grassroots level. The RGSA also provides infrastructural support, such as Gram Panchayat Bhawans and computerization.
Two central components of the RGSA are also implemented by the Ministry, the Incentivization of Panchayats (IoP) scheme and the Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayats (MMPePanchayats) scheme. The IoP scheme awards financial incentives to best-performing Panchayats based on a national competition that recognizes their service delivery and contributions to public welfare. The MMPePanchayats scheme funds e-governance projects to promote digitalization within Panchayats, aiming to enhance efficiency, accountability, and transparency. Funds are not given to States/UTs under the MMPePanchayats scheme. These schemes are implemented across all States and Union Territories to strengthen rural local bodies.
The response indicates that the government does not propose to launch any new schemes for the empowerment of Panchayati Raj in the country. The schemes mentioned are implemented for strengthening all rural local bodies in all the States/UTs in the Country.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Panchayati Raj: The Government of India's ministry responsible for matters related to Panchayati Raj institutions.
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs): Local self-government institutions at the village or rural level in India.
Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA): A centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A set of global goals adopted by the United Nations to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.
Gram Panchayat Bhawan: Infrastructure support provided under RGSA, likely referring to the building or office of the Gram Panchayat.
Incentivization of Panchayats (IoP): A scheme under RGSA that awards best-performing Panchayats with financial incentives for good work in service delivery and public welfare.
Mission Mode Project on e-Panchayats (MMPePanchayat): A scheme under RGSA focused on promoting the digitalization of Panchayats to improve efficiency, accountability, and transparency.
States/UTs: Refers to States and Union Territories of India.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRYOF PANCHAYATI RAJ
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1541
ANSWERED ON: 29/07/2025
SCHEMESTOSTRENGTHEN PANCHAYATIRAJ INSTITUTION
1541.SMT.MANJU SHARMA:
Will the Minister of PanchayatiRaj be pleased tostate;
(a) the details of the centrally sponsored schemes being implemented to strengthen the
PanchayatiRaj Institutions inthe country;
(b) whether the Government proposes to launch any new scheme for the empowerment
of the Panchayati Raj inthe country; and
(c) if so, the detailsthereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FORPANCHAYATIRAJ
(PROF.S.P.SINGH BAGHEL)
(a) Panchayat is a State subject andthe Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) supplements
andcomplements the effortsof StateGovernments, including fund support underthe schemes
towards strengthening and efficient functioning of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on a
continuousbasis.
The MoPR is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram
Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)with the primary objective of strengthening Panchayati Raj
Institutions (PRIs) by way of capacity building and training of the Elected Representatives
(ERs) and their functionaries to develop their governance capabilities for leadership roles to
enable the Gram Panchayats to function effectively and to deliver on Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) through localization at grassroots level, and providing
infrastructural support like Gram PanchayatBhawan andcomputerization.
Incentivization of Panchayats (IoP) scheme and Mission Mode Project on e-
Panchayats (MMP-ePanchayat)scheme, which are the central component of the RGSA
scheme, are also implemented by the Ministry. Under the IoP scheme, awards including
financial incentives, are given to the best-performing Panchayats in recognition of their good
work in improving service delivery and public welfare on the basis of national competition
heldannually. Under MMP-ePanchayatscheme various e-governanceprojectsare fundedto
promote the digitalization of Panchayats, for bringing efficiency, accountability, and
1transparency in the functioning of PRIs and contributing to their overall transformation. No
funds are giventoStates/UTs underthisproject.
These schemes are implemented for strengthening all rural local bodies in all the States/UTs
inthe Country.
(b) & (c)No, Sir.
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