13-Dec-2022: Sustainable Development Goals of Panchayati Raj Institutions

India is a signatory to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and committed towards their achievements of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ministry has evolved a thematic approach towards SDGs whereby 9 themes have been developed. Each of these themes covers several SDGs and mapped to different nodal Ministries /Departments to localise SDGs in Panchayat. Thematic approach would enable easy understanding; acceptance & implementation by Panchayats with community involvement. To give the impetus of the process of LSDGs at Panchayats, Gram Panchayat is preparing thematic Gram Panchayat Development Plan for holistic development based on the Sankalp taken by Panchayats on themes of LSDGs.

The Ministry implemented the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) during 2018-19 to 2021-22 and revamped RGSA scheme approved for implementation from 2022-23 to 2025-26. The scheme mandates to capacitate elected representatives and functionaries to deliver on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through participatory local planning at the Gram Panchayat level. The scheme was demand driven in nature and funds had/ have been released to States/ UTs including Assam and Rajasthan on basis of respective Annual Action Plan as approved by Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of RGSA. There is no fixed target under the scheme.

3-Aug-2022: Digitising Panchayat Offices

Panchayat being State subject, providing computers for Panchayats is primarily the responsibility of States/ Union Territories (UTs). However, Ministry, under the scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) supplemented the efforts of all States by providing computers for Panchayats as proposed by States/UTs in their Annual Action Plan and approved by Central Empowered Committee, on a limited scale. For attaining the vision of Digital India, Bharat Net project is being implemented by Department of Telecommunications in a phased manner to create network to connect all the Gram Panchayats by broadband in the country. The scope of Bharat Net on 30.06.2021 has been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country.

Under Digital India Programme, Ministry is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) with the aim to transform the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), making them more transparent, accountable, and effective. The Ministry launched eGramSwaraj, a work-based Accounting Application for Panchayati Raj Institutions under the e-Panchayat MMP on 24th April 2020. This application encompasses all aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning, budgeting, accounting, monitoring, asset management etc., on a single digital platform including online payments.

Under e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project funds are being provided to National Informatics Center Services Inc. (NICSI) for central level support for maintenance of e-Panchayat applications.

So far, 2.53 lakh GPs have prepared and uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) for 2022-23 on E-Gram Swaraj. Under 14th Finance Commission, 1.44 lakh GPs and 91,607 GPs have carried out online transactions during 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively. Similarly, 1.93 lakh GPs have carried online transactions under 15th Finance Commission during 2021-22. All States are making efforts to implement e-Panchayat MMP, based on their available resources and here is substantial improvement in adoption of digital applications by the States in PRIs functioning.

19-Jul-2022: Improvement in Functioning of Panchayats

Under Digital India Programme, Ministry is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) with the aim to transform the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), making them more transparent, accountable, and effective as the crucial link in decentralized local self-governments. Building on the achievements in the past, the Ministry launched eGramSwaraj, a work-based comprehensive application for PRIs under the e-Panchayat MMP on 24th April 2020. This application encompasses all aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning, budgeting, accounting, monitoring, asset management etc, on a single digital platform including online payments. The Ministry constantly engages with the States through virtual and physical training and enablement for States to adopt the eGramSwaraj application.

So far, 2.48 lakh GPs have prepared and uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) for 2022-23. Under 14th Finance Commission, 1.44 lakh GPs and 91,607 GPs have carried out online transactions during 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively. Similarly, 1.93 lakh GPs have carried online transactions under 15th Finance Commission during 2021-22. This is a substantial improvement. All States are making efforts to implement e-Panchayat MMP, based on their available resources. However, due to differentials in the level of preparedness of Panchayats across the country, States are at different stages of implementing these applications.

19-Jul-2022: Digitization of Panchayats

Under Digital India Programme, Ministry is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) with the aim to transform the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by making them more transparent, accountable, and effective. Building on the achievements in the past, the Ministry launched eGramSwaraj, a work-based comprehensive application for PRIs under the e-Panchayat MMP on 24th April 2020. This application encompasses all aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning, budgeting, accounting, monitoring, asset management etc, on a single digital platform including online payments. The Ministry constantly engages with the States through virtual and physical training and enablement for States to adopt the eGramSwaraj application. So far, 2.48 lakh GPs have prepared and uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) for 2022-23. Under 14th Finance Commission, 1.44 lakh GPs and 91,607 GPs have carried out online transactions during 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively. Similarly, 1.93 lakh GPs have carried online transactions under 15th Finance Commission during 2021-22.

Further, for attaining the vision of Digital India, BharatNet project is being implemented by Department of Telecommunications in a phased manner to connect all the Gram Panchayats by broadband in the country. So far, 1,78,271 GPs have been made Service Ready under the BharatNet project in the country. The scope of BharatNet on 30.06.2021 has been extended up to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country. The targeted date for the completion of the BharatNet project to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats and equivalent in the country is August 2023.

“Panchayat” is a State subject. Thus, providing infrastructural facilities to Gram Panchayats (GPs) is primarily the responsibility of States. However, the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) being implemented from 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2026, supplements the efforts of States on limited scale by providing financial support for certain infrastructural facilities for GPs such as Gram Panchayat Bhawans, computers and peripherals with special focus on North-Eastern States.

29-Mar-2022: Good Governance in Panchayat System

Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has developed the eGramSwaraj portal (eGS) (https://egramswaraj.gov.in), which aims to bring in transparency the planning, progress reporting, financial management and details of assets created in Panchayati Raj Institutions(PRIs). Further, Ministry has also integrated e-Gram SWARAJ with Public Financial Management System for Gram Panchayats to make real-time payments to vendors/service providers. So far, 2.62 Lakh GPDPs have been uploaded on eGS for the year 2021-22.  Further, Panchayats have adopted the mechanism to make payments to vendors through Public Financial Management system.

Further, for ensuring timely audit of Panchayat accounts, MoPR has devised an online application – Audit Online (https://auditonline.gov.in). This application not only facilitates auditing of Panchayat accounts but also provides for maintaining audit records. This application streamlines the process for creating audit inquiries, draft local audit reports, draft audit-paras etc. Thus, proper maintenance of accounts by Panchayats is ensured, improving transparency and accountability.

Panchayat is a State subject mandated at Part IX and List II (State List) of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India and as such probe into corruption cases relating to corrupt and illegal practices of the panchayat representatives and officials are the responsibility of the concerned State government.

8-Feb-2022: e-Panchayat Facility

Under Digital India Programme, Ministry is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) with the aim to transform the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).  Under e-Panchayat MMP, Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched eGramSwaraj, a simplified work-based accounting application to addresses various aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning, budgeting, accounting and online payments through eGramSwaraj-PFMS Interface for expenses incurred. As on 2 February 2022, 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayat (GP), 5390 Block Panchayat and 481 Zilla Panchayats have prepared and uploaded their Development Plans for 2021-22on eGramSwaraj application. Further, 2.38 lakh GPs have adopted eGramSwaraj for the purpose of accounting in the current year 2021-22 out of which 2.19 lakh GPs have taken necessary steps for carrying out payments through Public Finance Management System (PFMS). Also, 1.81 lakh GPs have made online payments.

Panchayats need to use internet services for various activities. BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner by Department of Telecommunications to provide broadband connectivity to all the Gram Panchayats and equivalent in the country. As on 17.01.2022, total 1,70,136 GPs have been made Service Ready under the BharatNet project in the country. The scope of BharatNet on 30.06.2021 has been extended to all inhabited villages beyond GPs in the country. In Maharashtra, 21,785 GPs have been made Service Ready against 28,237 GPs planned, under the BharatNet project.

The targeted date for the completion of the BharatNet project to provide service-ready broadband connection to all the Gram Panchayats and traditional local bodies in the country is August 2023.

22-Dec-2021: Assessment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIS)

In acknowledgment of the key role of Panchayats in rural governance and socio-economic development of the country, the Panchayati Raj system of local self-government was introduced by the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India. Part IX was inserted in the Constitution as a sequel to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment in 1993, bestowing the Constitutional mandatory status to the ‘Panchayats’. Panchayats, being “Local Government”, is a State subject and part of the State list of Seventh Schedule of Constitution of India. Mandate for setting up of Panchayats is provided by Article 243 in Part IX of the Constitution of India. Accordingly the Panchayats are setup and operate through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. Article 243G of the Constitution envisages Panchayats as institutions of self-government. In this regard, this article provides for devolution, by the State Legislature, of powers and responsibilities upon the Panchayats with respect to the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice and for the implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice. The State Legislatures are to consider the 29 subjects illustratively set out in the Eleventh Schedule for devolution to the Panchayats.  Article 243H of the Constitution provides for finance for the Panchayats by securing authorization from State Legislatures for grants-in-aid to the Panchayats from the Consolidated Fund of the State, as also assignment to collect and appropriate, by the Panchayats of the revenues of designated taxes, duties, tolls and fees. Article 243-I of the Constitution provides for setting up of a Finance Commission every 5 years to review the financial position of Panchayats and make appropriate recommendation to improve the financial position of Panchayats.

The implementation of the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution is reviewed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) from time to time through studies and discussions in review meetings with the States. The performance of the Panchayats depends on the extent of powers and resources devolved to them, which varies from State to State. The performance of Panchayats is monitored by the State Governments. MoPR supports States in building capacities of Panchayats for rural governance. It also helps States in developing guidelines for participatory planning by Panchayats and preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans; bringing in efficiency, transparency and accountability for achieving development objectives. Further, with a vision to digitalize Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for empowering rural India, Ministry has developed a simplified work based accounting application–eGramSwaraj (egramswaraj.gov.in) to address various aspects of Panchayat functioning including planning, budgeting, implementation, accounting and monitoring to make them more transparent, accountable and effective as organs of decentralized self-governing institutions.

22-Dec-2021: Making Panchayati Raj System more Effective

The Panchayati Raj system of local self-government was introduced by the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India. Part IX was inserted in the Constitution as a sequel to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment in 1993, bestowing the Constitutional mandatory status to the ‘Panchayats’. The Government has no proposal under consideration to bring about changes in the existing Panchayati Raj system.

Panchayat, being “Local Government”, is a State subject and part of State list of Seventh Schedule of Constitution of India. Mandate for setting up of Panchayats is provided by Article 243 in Part IX of the Constitution of India. Accordingly, the Panchayats are setup and operate through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. Currently, there is no proposal in the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) to form any committee to review the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). To strengthen functioning of PRIs across the country, MoPR has launched eGramSwaraj (https://egramswaraj.gov.in), a user friendly web-based portal, which aims to bring in better transparency in the decentralised planning, progress reporting, financial management, work-based accounting and details of assets created. Further, for ensuring timely audit of Panchayat accounts i.e. receipts and expenditures of Gram Panchayats, MoPR has rolled out an online application – AuditOnline (https://auditonline.gov.in). This application not only facilitates the auditing of Panchayat accounts but also provides for maintaining of audit records. This application streamlines the process for audit inquiries, draft local audit reports, draft auditparas etc. and thus ensures proper maintenance of accounts by Panchayats to improve transparency and accountability.

22-Dec-2021: Devolution of Power and Funds to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIS)

Article 243G of the Constitution of India empowers the Legislature of a State to make provisions, by law, for the devolution of power 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 matters included in the Eleventh Schedule.  The State legislatures are to consider the 29 subjects illustratively set out in the Eleventh Schedule for devolution to the Panchayats. The performance of the Panchayats depends on the extent of powers and resources devolved to them, which varies from State to State. As ‘local government’, which includes Panchayats, is a State subject, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been advocating to the States for increased devolution of powers to the Panchayats. Similarly, by successive Finance Commissions, more funds have been provided to the States for distribution among Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as under:-

As the devolution of powers to Panchayats is within the purview of States, no request is required to be made by them to the Government of India. Regarding allocation of funds, in this regard, Finance Commission, prior to making recommendations holds detailed discussion with stakeholders, including all States and takes into consideration their suggestions in its recommendations.

A Committee was constituted under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog for restructuring of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) to address the challenges faced by the rural local bodies and increased fund flow to Gram Panchayats. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, a revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme of RGSA was prepared for strengthening of PRIs for the period 2018-2019 to 2021-22.

21-Dec-2021: Gram Panchayats Development Plans

 The Ministry has been continually taking initiatives for improvement in the exercise of planning at Gram Panchayat level based on the feedbacks received in preparation and implementation of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) to make it more comprehensive, inclusive and holistic. Under the People’s Plan Campaign “Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas” being undertaken by Ministry during 2nd October, 2021 to 31st Jan 2022 for preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) for the year 2022-23 in the States/ Union Territories, the States have been advised to integrate Village Poverty Reduction Plan (VPRP) in the GPDP. Further, the addition of Budget of flagship Programme/ Schemes of Central Ministries has been has been emphasised for holistic Panchayat Planning & convergence. In addition, to support holistic planning, analytical dashboards upto to the level of Gram Panchayat has been made to analyse sectoral gaps, convergence and implementation of GPDP. The Ministry regularly monitors the planning & implementation of the GPDP in the States/ UTs and issues suitable advisories to States/ UTs from time to time as required.

14-Dec-2021: Modernization of Panchayats

Panchayat being a State subject, providing infrastructure facilities to Gram Panchayat (GPs) is primarily the responsibility of concerned State Government. However, under the restructured scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), this Ministry has been supplementing the efforts of State governments by providing financial support to States for certain infrastructural facilities such as Gram Panchayat Bhawans, computers and peripherals for GPs on a limited scale on demand from the states along with funding the capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions.

 As steps towards modernisation of district and village panchayats, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is implementing e-GramSwaraj and other e-Governance Applications under e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) which addresses planning, budgeting, implementation, accounting, monitoring, social audit and delivery of citizen services like issue of certificates, licences, etc. thereby improving transparency, accountability and governance at Panchayat level. No funds are released to States/ UTs including the State of Maharashtra for these activities.

8-Dec-2021: Central Government's Support to States for Strengthening of Panchayats

Panchayat being State subject, providing infrastructure facilities is primarily the responsibility of States/UTs. However, following programmes are also being implemented for providing adequate infrastructure facilities to Panchayats including Uttar Pradesh by the Government:

1. The Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) has recommended  Rural Local Body Grants of Rs. 60750 crore for the year 2020-21 and  Rs. 2,36,805 crore for the five year period 2021-26 to 28 States for all tiers of Panchayats including the Traditional Bodies of non-Part IX areas. The XV FC Grants are being devolved in two parts, namely (i) Basic (Untied) Grants for felt needs under the 29 subjects enshrined in the XI schedule, except for salaries and other establishment costs. and (ii) Tied Grants for the basic services of (a) sanitation and maintenance of open-defecation free (ODF) status and (b)supply of drinking water, rain water harvesting and water recycling.
2. Ministry of Panchayati Raj, under the scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) being implemented with effect from 2018-19, has been providing financial support to states for certain infrastructural facilities for Gram Panchayat such as Gram Panchayat Bhawans, computers and peripherals etc.
3. To facilitate adequate communication infrastructure, BharatNet project is being implemented by Department of Telecommunications in a Phased manner to create network to connect all the Gram Panchayats (approx. 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats) by broadband in the country. As on 01.11.2021, 33,858 Gram Panchayats (including Block Head Quarters) have been made Service Ready of Uttar Pradesh.          

Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) under which a suite of core common applications has been developed to address various aspects of Panchayats’ functioning including planning, budgeting, implementation, accounting, monitoring, social audit and delivery of citizen services like issue of certificates, licenses, etc. to make them more transparent, accountable and effective as organs of decentralized self-governing institutions.

Further, for strengthening the transparency and accountability at grassroots level, the Ministry has rolled out an application - Audit Online under e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP). It allows online audit of Panchayat accounts and records detailed information about internal and external audit of expenditure incurred out from Central Finance Commission Grants by the Panchayats.

7-Dec-2021: Gram Panchayat’s Own Sources of Revenue

Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), in its advisory dated 16.08.2021 issued on the subject of ‘Making Gram Sabha Vibrant’, has suggested a sample calendar indicating the month-wise topics to be covered for discussion in the Gram Sabha agenda. In this calendar, one of the subjects suggested for review by the Gram Panchayat is also lease of common property assets for improving panchayat’s Own Sources of Revenue (OSR).

In the MoPR advisory dated 16.08.2021 on the subject of “Making Gram Sabha Vibrant’, several suggestions have been made, prominent amongst them being the restructuring of the frequency and methodology of conduct of the Gram Sabha meetings, the contents of the agenda and nature of deliberations in  Gram Sabha meetings, participation of district/block administration officials in the Gram Sabha meetings, awareness creation measures to ensure enhanced participation of eligible citizens in Gram Sabha and the support systems to be developed in terms of strengthening the sub-committees of the Gram Panchayats.

It has also been suggested that an annual calendar be drawn up in advance for the Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the State/UT for the Gram Sabha meetings, for which an indicative month-wise topics to be covered for discussion in the Gram Sabha agenda has also been suggested. It has been suggested that the ward members of the GP should be invariably made a member of at least one of the sub-committees and the active participation of the ward members in the day to day affairs of the GPs may be ensured by assigning them duty, by rotation, for the upkeep and functioning of the GP office.

Article 243G of the Constitution provides for powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats wherein it prescribes that the Legislature of a State may, by law, endow panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government and such law may contain provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon panchayats, at the appropriate level, subject to such conditions as may be specified therein, with respect to;

• the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice;
• the implementation of schemes for economic development and social   justice as may be entrusted to them including those in relation to the matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule.

These provisions enable the Panchayats to implement adequate infrastructural and developmental activities with the funds devolved to them. Under the Fourteenth Finance Commission for the award period 2015-2020, Grants of Rs. 2,00,292.20 crore were allocated to the Gram Panchayats in 26 States which was more than three times the corresponding allocation of Thirteenth Finance Commission. Under Fifteenth Finance Commission, Grants to the tune of Rs. 60,750 crore are allocated for the interim period FY 2020-21 and Rs.2,36,805 Crore are allocated for the period FY 2021-26 to Panchayats in all the three tiers and Traditional Local Bodies and Sixth Schedule areas in 28 States. The Grants are in two parts, namely, Basic (Untied) Grants and Tied Grants. The Untied Grants can be utilised for felt needs on 29 subjects enshrined under Schedule XI of the Constitution. The Tied Grants are to be utilised for the national focus areas of Water and Sanitation.

Release of grants under the Fifteenth Finance Commission is subject to submission of utilization certificates / grants transfer certificate for the previous instalments drawn along with compliance of other stipulated conditions by the States. Funds under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Scheme are released to States on the basis of approved plans, submission of requisite documents viz. Utilization Certificate, Auditor’s Report etc and compliance of other directions as and when issued by Government of India.

7-Dec-2021: Computerisation of Gram Panchayats

Panchayat being a State subject, providing basic infrastructure including computers etc. is primarily the responsibility of concerned State Government/ UT administration. The level of computerisation of GPs varies among States, depending upon the availability of electric power supply, internet connectivity, adequate computer- trained manpower, financial resources at the GP level etc.

Under the erstwhile scheme of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA), Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) had provided financial assistance to States/ UTs for e-enablement including computers and peripherals upto 2014-15. Under the restructured scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), funds have been provided to States/UTs for provision of computer for their e-enablement. Further, the untied/ basic grants under 15th Finance Commission can also be used by Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for computer in the respective Rural Local Bodies.

MoPR is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP) under which a suite of core common applications has been developed to address various aspects of Panchayats’ functioning including planning, budgeting, implementation, accounting, monitoring, social audit and delivery of citizen services like issue of certificates, licenses, etc.

For attaining the vision of Digital India, BharatNet project is being implemented by Department of Telecommunications in a phased manner to create network to connect all the Gram Panchayats by broadband in the country. As on 01.11.2021, a total number of 1,65,765 GPs (including Block Head Quarters) have been made Service Ready in the country. The targeted date for the completion of the project is extended to August, 2023.

7-Dec-2021: Members of Gram Panchayats

As per List II (State List) of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, ‘Panchayat’, being ‘local government’, is a State Subject. Accordingly, all matters relating to Panchayat including payment of salary to members of Gram  Panchayats are within the purview of State Governments.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj seeks to transform Gram Sabhas as vibrant democratic institutions at the grass-roots level. In this regard, a detailed advisory has been issued to States in August 2021. As the role of Ward Members of Gram Sabha is important for the efficient functioning of the Gram Panchayats, States have been advised that Ward Members of the Gram Panchayats should invariably be made members of various Sub-Committees of Gram Panchayats.  Further, in order to incentivize participation of the Ward Members in these Sub-Committees, payment of honorarium/sitting fees up to Rs.1000/- per month has been suggested from the own source of revenues of the Gram Panchayats or from State Government’s assistance to the Gram Panchayats.  In case of services provided by the Gram Pradhan/Sarpanch to these Committees, the honorarium/sitting fees for such services have been suggested to be upto Rs.5000/- per month from the own source of revenues of the Gram Panchayats or from State Government’s assistance to the Gram Panchayats. The Central Finance Commission’s grants are however not to be used for payment of such honorarium/sitting fees.

1-Dec-2021: Representation of Women in Panchayat System

Article 243D of the Constitution of India provides for not less than one-third reservation for women out of total number of seats to be filled by direct election and number of offices of chairpersons of Panchayats. However, as per the information available with the Ministry, 21 States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal, have made provision of 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions in their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. In respect of remaining States, Constitutional provision as prescribed in Article 243D applies.

‘Panchayat’, being ‘Local Government’, is a State subject and part of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Accordingly, all Panchayat related matters, including representation of women in Panchayat systems, are governed by the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts and rules, subject to the provisions of the Constitution. However, Government has been encouraging increased involvement of women in the functioning of Panchayats through active participation in the Gram Sabha meetings for preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans and various schemes being implemented by the Panchayats. This Ministry has also issued advisories to the States to facilitate holding of separate Ward Sabha and Mahila Sabha meetings prior to Gram Sabha meetings, enhancing the presence and participation of women in Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings, allocation of Panchayat funds for women centric activities, combating the evil of women trafficking, female foeticide, child marriage etc.

Article 280 (3) (bb) of the Constitution of India provides for the Finance Commission to make recommendations regarding the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats in the State on the basis of the recommendations made by the Finance Commission of the State. Accordingly, to improve the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions, including women related activities; funds have been recommended by Central Finance Commissions successively.

30-Nov-2021: e-Governance of Panchayats

Under Digital India Programme, Ministry is implementing e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project, in the country to revamp the functioning of Panchayats and to make them more transparent, accountable and effective. Ministry launched eGramSwaraj a simplified work-based Accounting application to addresses various aspects of Panchayat functioning viz. planning, accounting, budgeting including online payments through eGramSwaraj-PFMS Interface for services delivered.  Currently, 2,58,694 Panchayati Raj Institutions have prepared Panchayat Development Plans for Financial Year 2021-22 and 2,75,252 Panchayati Raj Institutions have adopted eGramSwaraj for the purpose of accounting.   Further, 2,53,523Panchayati Raj Institutions have on boarded eGramSwaraj-PFMS Interface for carrying out online transactions.

No direct financial assistant is provided to States / UTs for implementation of e-governance in the Panchayats under e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project.  Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has been providing programmatic support for strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and capacity building of Elected Representatives and functionaries of PRIs to improve their functioning and effectiveness and make them self-reliant.

Panchayat being a State subject, providing basic infrastructure facilities including computers, electric power supply etc. is primarily the responsibility of concerned State Government / UT Administration for proper working of e-governance of panchayats.