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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRYOF PANCHAYATIRAJ
RAJYASABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1357
ANSWEREDON 11.02.2026
STRENGTHENING PANCHAYATS INODISHA
1357SHRIDEBASHISHSAMANTARAY:
Will the Minister of PANCHAYATIRAJ be pleased to state:
(a)the numberof Gram Panchayats functioninginthe Stateof Odisha;
(b) steps takentostrengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) inthe State;
(c)funds releasedunderCentral Panchayat developmentschemes;
(d) whether trainingprogrammeshave beenconductedfor Panchayatrepresentatives; and
(e)measures takentoimprove service deliveryat the Panchayatlevel?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRIRAJIVRANJAN SINGH)
(a) There are 6794Gram Panchayats functioninginthe Stateof Odisha.
(b) “Panchayat”, being “Local Government”, is a State subject and part of State List of
Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Panchayats are set up and operate through
the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts which may vary from State to State, subject to the
provisions of the Constitution. Article 243G of the Constitution empowers the Legislature
of a Statetomake provisions, bylaw, for the devolutionof powers andresponsibilities upon
Panchayat at appropriate level, subject to such conditions as may be specified, with respect
to the preparation of plans for economic developmentand social justice and implementation
of schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them
including those in relation to 29 subjects included in the Eleventh Schedule to the
Constitution. Accordingly, all matters relating to panchayats including strengthening of
Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) fallswithin the purviewof StateGovernment.
The Government of Odisha has informed that they have taken several measures to
strengthen PRIs as institutions of local self-government which includes devolution of
powers to PRIson 21subjects of eleven departments inaccordancewith the provisions of the
Constitution, Legal and Institutional reforms , strengthening administrative support by
creating posts at all levels of panchayats, participatory planning, effective capacity building
etc.
1Further, this Ministry is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme called
Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) with effect from financial year2022-23,
with the main objective of supporting the capacity building of Panchayati Raj institutions
(PRIs) by imparting training to Elected Representatives (ERs) and other stakeholders to
develop their governance capabilities for leadership roles, enabling Gram Panchayats to
functioneffectively across all States/UnionTerritories (UTs),including Odisha.
Under the RGSA scheme, capacity building and training for elected representatives,
functionaries, andother stakeholders of Panchayats are supported underdifferent categories,
viz. basic orientation and refresher training, thematic training, specialized training,
Panchayat development plan training, etc. Additionally, the scheme also supports exposure
visits for the electedrepresentatives & functionariesof Panchayatstothe Beacon Panchayats
for exchangeof learningof the exemplarypractices onvariousdevelopmentsectors.
Multiple training interventions have also been undertaken to strengthen the capacities
of Panchayati Raj Institutions. Capacitybuilding of elected representativesand functionaries
has been rolled out through institutes of excellence such as Indian Institutes of Management
(IIMs)/ Indian Institute of Technology (IITs) under the Leadership/Management
Development Programme (MDP) to enhance knowledge &skills of leadership of elected
representatives& functionariesof PRI.
To enhance financial self-reliance of Gram Panchayats, a dedicated Own Source
Revenue (OSR) training module was developed in collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad.
Additionally, the Ministry has launched a Specialized Training Module for the Women
Elected Representatives (WER) of Panchayats to develop leadership & managerial skills for
effective deliveryof theirroles& responsibilities.
(c ) A total amount of Rs. 112.23 crores has been released under the RGSAScheme to
the Statefrom the FY2022-23 to2025-26. Year wise FundRelease mentionedbelow:-
Sl.No FY FundReleased (in.crores)
1 2022-23 Rs.11.40
2. 2023-24 Rs.27.33
3 2024-25 Rs.20.00
4 2025-26 Rs.53.50(as on03.02.2026)
Total Rs.112.23
Panchayats / Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in the States are provided with financial grants
recommended by the Central Finance Commission. The Fifteenth Finance Commission has
recommended allocation of Rs.2,258 crores for the period of FY 2020-21 for Rural Local
Bodies (RLBs) in Odisha. Further, for the period FY 2021-26, it has recommended an
allocationof Rs.8,800 croresfor RLBs inthe State.
(d ) A total of 7,50,736 participants were provided training from the FY 2022-23 to
2025-26 (till 31stJanuary 2026) underthe RGSAscheme tothe Stateof Odisha.
(e) The Government of Odisha has informed that they have taken steps to improve
2service delivery at Panchayat level though e-Governance initiatives, Digital infrastructure,
Financialtransparency ,Grievance redressal andSocialAccountability.
Further, this Ministry is implementing the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP)
under RGSA, which has significantly enhanced transparency, efficiency, and governance at
the grassroots level. The e-Gram Swaraj application, developed as part of the e-Panchayat
MMP, has facilitated digital planning, accounting, monitoring, and online payments at the
Panchayat level. The integration of e-Gram Swaraj with the Public Financial Management
System (PFMS) enables real-time payments to vendors and service providers, ensuring
seamless fund flow and reducing delays. As on date, all 6,794 Gram Panchayats in Odisha
have uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans on the e-Gram Swaraj platform.
Further, allGram Panchayatshave beenonboarded onthe e-Gram Swaraj-PFMSinterface.
The Ministry has also strengthened the e-Gram Swaraj platform through integration
with other national digital platforms. Integration with the Government e-Marketplace (GeM)
facilitates transparent, efficient and rule-based procurement by Gram Panchayats. Integration
with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) enables Gram Panchayats to apply for internet
connectivity at the Panchayat level. Integration with BHASHINI enables multilingual access
to e-Gram Swaraj, thereby improving accessibility in regional languages. In addition,
integration of weather forecast information supports informed local planning and timely
decision-making,particularly inthe areasof agriculture anddisaster preparedness.
To enhance transparency and citizen access to information, the Ministry has
developed applicationssuch as'Meri Panchayat', which providespublic accessto information
on Panchayat plans, activities and progress of works. Similarly, Panchayat NIRNAY is an
online application aims at bringing transparency and better management in conduct of Gram
SabhasbyPanchayats.
Furthermore, ‘Audit Online’ application waslaunched inApril 2020,for online audit
of Panchayat accounts , financial management and transparent auditing of Central Finance
Commission grantsutilization.
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