**Executive Summary**
This document reports on efforts to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Odisha, India. It details initiatives by both the Government of Odisha and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, including devolution of powers, capacity building, financial support, and e-governance projects. The information was provided on February 11th, 2026, by the Union Minister in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Panchayati Raj Structure in Odisha:**
* Odisha has 6794 functioning Gram Panchayats.
* Panchayats are a state subject operating under State Panchayati Raj Acts and the Constitution of India, specifically Article 243G.
* All matters related to Panchayats fall under the State Government's purview.
* **Government of Odisha's Measures:**
* Devolution of powers to PRIs on 21 subjects across eleven departments.
* Legal and Institutional reforms
* Strengthening administrative support by creating posts at all levels of panchayats
* Participatory planning
* Effective capacity building
* **Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA):**
* The Ministry is implementing the RGSA scheme, effective from the financial year 2022-23.
* The objective is to support the capacity building of PRIs by training Elected Representatives (ERs) and other stakeholders.
* Training categories include basic orientation, refresher, thematic, and specialized training, as well as Panchayat development plan training.
* The scheme also supports exposure visits to Beacon Panchayats.
* Training is conducted through institutes of excellence, including IIMs/IITs.
* **Financial Support and Fund Release:**
* A total of Rs. 112.23 crores has been released under the RGSA Scheme to the State from the FY 2022-23 to 2025-26.
* Year-wise fund release: 2022-23 (Rs.11.40 crores), 2023-24 (Rs.27.33 crores), 2024-25 (Rs.20.00 crores), 2025-26 (Rs.53.50 crores as on 03.02.2026).
* The Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended allocations for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Odisha: Rs.2,258 crores for FY 2020-21 and Rs.8,800 crores for FY 2021-26.
* **Training and Capacity Building Outcomes:**
* 7,50,736 participants were provided training from the FY 2022-23 to 2025-26 (till 31st January 2026) under the RGSA scheme.
* **E-Governance Initiatives:**
* The Government of Odisha has taken steps to improve service delivery through e-Governance initiatives.
* The e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) under RGSA enhances transparency, efficiency, and governance.
* The e-Gram Swaraj application facilitates digital planning, accounting, monitoring, and online payments.
* All Gram Panchayats in Odisha have uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans on the e-Gram Swaraj platform and have been onboarded on the e-Gram Swaraj-PFMS interface.
* **Digital Platform Integrations:**
* Integration with Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for transparent procurement.
* Integration with BSNL enables Panchayats to apply for internet connectivity.
* Integration with BHASHINI enables multilingual access to e-Gram Swaraj.
* Integration of weather forecast information for informed decision-making.
* **Citizen Access Applications:**
* 'Meri Panchayat' provides public access to information on Panchayat plans, activities, and progress.
* Panchayat NIRNAY aims at transparency in conducting Gram Sabhas.
* **Audit and Accountability:**
* 'Audit Online' application launched for online audit of Panchayat accounts and transparent utilization of Central Finance Commission grants.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Gram Panchayats in Odisha**
* **Impact:** Increased capacity through training, improved access to resources through financial support, enhanced efficiency and transparency through e-governance platforms, and improved decision-making through access to information.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available training opportunities, implement e-governance solutions, and adhere to audit and transparency requirements.
**Stakeholder: Elected Representatives (ERs) and Functionaries of PRIs**
* **Impact:** Enhanced leadership and managerial skills through specialized training programs, improved understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
* **Action Required:** Actively participate in training programs, apply learned skills in their roles, and leverage e-governance platforms to improve service delivery.
**Stakeholder: Citizens of Odisha**
* **Impact:** Increased access to information on Panchayat plans, activities, and progress; improved service delivery through e-governance initiatives and increased transparency.
* **Action Required:** Utilize available online platforms like 'Meri Panchayat' to stay informed and participate in local governance processes.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Panchayati Raj**
* **Impact:** Supports the capacity building of Panchayati Raj institutions in the State of Odisha through the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing and monitoring the RGSA scheme, ensure effective utilization of funds, and promote further integration of digital platforms to enhance transparency and efficiency.
**Stakeholder: Government of Odisha**
* **Impact:** Empowered to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and improve service delivery at the Panchayat level.
* **Action Required:** Continue to take steps to improve service delivery at the Panchayat level though e-Governance initiatives, Digital infrastructure, Financial transparency, Grievance redressal and Social Accountability.
Key Entities Referenced
Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA): A Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at supporting the capacity building of Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs).
Odisha: The State where panchayats are being strengthened.
e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP): A project under RGSA to enhance transparency, efficiency, and governance at the grassroots level through digital applications like e-Gram Swaraj.
Article 243G of the Constitution: Constitutional article empowering state legislatures to devolve powers and responsibilities to Panchayats.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj: The central government ministry responsible for implementing the RGSA and e-Panchayat MMP.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
STRENGTHENING PANCHAYATS IN ODISHA
Posted On: 11 FEB 2026 2:34PM by PIB Delhi
There are 6794 Gram Panchayats functioning in the State of Odisha. “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 State to make provisions, by law, for the devolution of powers and responsibilities
upon Panchayat at appropriate level, subject to such conditions as may be specified, with respect to the
preparation of plans for economic development and 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) falls within the purview of
State Government.
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 PRIs on 21 subjects of
eleven departments in accordance with 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.
Further, this Ministry is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme called Revamped Rashtriya Gram
Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) with effect from financial year 2022-23, 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 function effectively across all States/Union Territories (UTs), including
Odisha.
Under the RGSA scheme, capacity building and training for elected representatives, functionaries, and
other stakeholders of Panchayats are supported under different 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 elected representatives & functionaries of
Panchayats to the Beacon Panchayats for exchange of learning of the exemplary practices on various
development sectors.
Multiple training interventions have also been undertaken to strengthen the capacities of Panchayati Raj
Institutions. Capacity building of elected representatives and 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 & functionaries of 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 delivery of their roles & responsibilities.
A total amount of Rs. 112.23 crores has been released under the RGSA Scheme to the State from the FY
2022-23 to 2025-26. Year wise Fund Release mentioned below:-
Sl.No FY Fund Released (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 on 03.02.2026)
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 allocation of Rs.8,800 crores for RLBs in the State.
A total of 7,50,736 participants were provided training from the FY 2022-23 to 2025-26 (till 31stJanuary
2026) under the RGSA scheme to the State of Odisha.
The Government of Odisha has informed that they have taken steps to improve service delivery at
Panchayat level though e-Governance initiatives, Digital infrastructure, Financial transparency, Grievance
redressal and Social Accountability.
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 serviceproviders, 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,
all Gram Panchayats have been on boarded on the e-Gram Swaraj-PFMS interface.
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 in the areas of agriculture and disaster preparedness.
To enhance transparency and citizen access to information, the Ministry has developed applications such
as 'Meri Panchayat', which provides public access to 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 Sabhas by Panchayats.
Furthermore, ‘Audit Online’ application was launched in April 2020, for online audit of Panchayat
accounts, financial management and transparent auditing of Central Finance Commission grants
utilization.
This information was given by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in a written
reply in Rajya Sabha on 11th February 2026.
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