Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Policy Update
Meenu Mohan

Mandate

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, established in 2004, is responsible for overseeing the decentralization process and strengthening local self-governance in India. By empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), the Ministry aims to ensure inclusive development, social justice, and efficient service delivery at the grassroots level. The Ministry works towards strengthening the three-tier system of governance, comprising the Union Government, State Governments, and Local Self-Governments, as envisioned by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments which validated the devolution of powers. 

Major Milestones

  • National Panchayat Portal (NPP) (December 2004): This portal provides a centralized platform for information sharing and knowledge management related to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
  • National Panchayat Directory (NPD) (September 2007): This directory serves as a repository of information on Panchayats, their officials, and their geographical boundaries.
  • PRI Profiler (December 2007): This tool helps in profiling Panchayats based on various socio-economic indicators.
  • Plan Plus (March 2008): This software enables Panchayats to prepare and implement development plans.
  • PRIA Soft (Public Resource Information and Accounting Software) (March 2008): This software supports financial management and accounting for Panchayats.

These initiatives have played a crucial role in improving the efficiency and transparency of Panchayati Raj Institutions, thereby contributing to the overall development of rural India.

Schemes and Initiatives

  1. Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP)
     A comprehensive plan for economic development and social justice in rural areas, it involves a participatory process that includes all stakeholders, including Gram Panchayats and related Central Ministries/Line Departments. This initiative, under “Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas,” will ensure inclusive and sustainable rural development to effectively implement flagship schemes and transform rural India.
  2. Vibrant Gram Sabha (Panchayat NIRNAY)
    This portal is an integrated real-time online monitoring system, where all the major performance parameters of the key focus areas at the GP/ Village levels are tracked and displayed in the public domain. It facilitates a completely automated online workflow configurable Gram Sabha management system, substituting paper-based manual processes. The primary objective is to make the Gram Sabha meetings more participatory, transparent and vibrant. It also facilitates Panchayats for best practices sharing across the country.
  3. Survey of Villages Abadi & Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA)
    By leveraging advanced drone technology, the scheme facilitates the accurate mapping of rural land parcels, creating a comprehensive digital record of property ownership. This digital transformation empowers rural citizens by providing them with legal ownership cards, or property titles, which serve as indisputable proof of land ownership. By establishing clear property rights, the scheme helps to reduce property-related disputes and legal complexities. It also enables rural citizens to use their land as collateral for loans, opening up new avenues for financial empowerment and economic growth. Additionally, the accurate land records generated by SVAMITVA can be used for effective rural planning, infrastructure development, and disaster management.
  4. eGramSwaraj
    A user-friendly web-based portal, it aims to bring in better transparency in decentralised planning, progress reporting, and work-based accounting.

Recent Developments in FY 2023-24

  • eGramSwaraj-PFMS Integration: Enables online payments to vendors for Panchayat works.
  • eGramSwaraj-GeM Integration: Allows Panchayats to procure goods and services through the Government eMarketplace (GeM).
  • Integrated Dashboard: Provides a single view of various rural development programs across Ministries.
  • eGramSwaraj 2.0: Upgraded version of the eGramSwaraj application for improved user experience.
  • Manthan Conference: Industry consultation to explore new technologies for e-governance solutions.
  1. AuditOnline
    A versatile platform that streamlinegovernment audits, it ensures compliance with CAG standards, tracks the entire audit process, simplifies Panchayat audits, and maintains detailed records. It is designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in government auditing.
  1. Local Government Directory
    One of the 11 applications developed as part of Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) under the e-Panchayat Mission Mode project (MMP), the primary objective of the Local Government Directory (LGD) is to build a Standard location directory by providing an online platform to the States/UTs to maintain the up-to-date list of respective administrative units (Districts, Sub-Districts, Villages, Blocks, Local Governance bodies along with their corresponding Rural/ Urban wards) in collaboration with Office of the Registrar General of India (ORGI), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Developed as part of Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) under the e-panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP).
  1. ServicePlus 
    A meta-data based e-service delivery framework which is built on LowCode–NoCode (LCNC) architecture for delivering electronic services to citizens. Low-code and no-code development platforms are tools for people who either do not know how to code or have no time to code. Whereas these low-code and no-code frameworks are built on actual coding languages like PHP, Python, and Java, end users are not concerned with the specifics. An application which is quick to learn and easy to use with minimal effort or very little skill set.
  1. Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA)
    The focus of the revamped scheme is on re-imagining Panchayati Raj Institutions as vibrant centers of local self-governance and economic growth with a special focus on localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at grassroot level adopting thematic approach through concerted and collaborative efforts of Central Ministries and State line departments with ‘whole of Government’ approach at all levels. Under the scheme basic orientation training for Elected Representatives (ERs) of Panchayats is to be ensured within 6 months of election and refresher training within 2 years. The funding pattern for the State components is in the ratio of 60:40 among Centre and State respectively, except Northeast Hilly States and Union Territory (UT) of J&K where Central and State share is in the ratio of 90: 10. For other UTs, the Central share is 100%.
  1. Training Management Portal
    A platform designed to streamline the training management process for government organizations. It helps capture training needs, plan training calendars, and estimate resources. The portal also allows training providers to register and offer their services. It facilitates the entire training lifecycle, from demand and supply matching to registration, attendance tracking, certificate generation, and feedback collection.
  1. National Panchayat Awards
    The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has revamped the National Panchayat Awards to align with the 9 Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). The 9 themes include poverty free, healthy, child friendly, water sufficient, clean & green, self-sufficient infrastructure, socially secured, good governance and women friendly villages.  This competition aims to assess Panchayat’s performance in achieving SDGs, foster competition, and catalyze the implementation of LSDGs.

Key features include:

  • Multi-level pyramidal structure (Block, District, State/UT, National)
  • Ranking of Panchayats based on 9 LSGD themes
  • Mandatory questionnaire filling for all Gram Panchayats

Award categories at the National level include:

  • Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (Top 3 GPs under each theme)
  • Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (Top 3 GPs, BPs, and DPs)
  • Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar (3 GPs for renewable energy adoption)
  • Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar (3 GPs for net-zero emissions)
  • Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar (3 Institutions for supporting GPs)
  • Best Participant (State/District) awards
  1. Spatial Planning
    To address the issue of unplanned development in rurban areas, the Ministry is partnering with specialized institutions to develop a common Master Plan framework. This framework aims to guide Gram Panchayats, particularly those near national and state highways, in creating well-planned and sustainable rural communities. The goal is to foster economic development, improve quality of life, and ensure a harmonious balance between rural and urban areas.

Other Important Information

  1. Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG)
    RuTAG, an initiative of the Office of the Principal Scientific Advisor, aims to bridge the technology gap in rural India. It identifies rural technology needs, promotes technology development, and facilitates its adoption at the grassroots level. RuTAG focuses on addressing challenges faced by marginalized communities, such as livelihood creation, efficiency improvement, and resource management. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, RuTAG plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable rural development.
  1. Gram Manchitra application 
    Launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, it is a GIS-based tool that empowers Gram Panchayats to plan and track development projects. By using mActionSoft to geo-tag assets, the application provides a comprehensive view of rural development activities, enabling better decision-making and resource allocation.
  1. Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act of 1996
    A law that gives special powers to Gram Sabhas in India’s Scheduled Areas, it aims to ensure self-governance for the people of these areas through traditional Gram Sabhas. 

Conclusion

The Gram Sabha, the primary decision-making body of a village, plays a crucial role in local governance. It is responsible for preparing the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and utilizing funds, including those from the Finance Commission. Regular Gram Sabha meetings are essential for involving the community in decision-making and ensuring transparency and accountability.

The Finance Commission grants are a significant source of funding for Panchayats. These funds are intended to support the delivery of essential services such as water supply, sanitation, and infrastructure development. 

To enhance participation, it is recommended to schedule meetings on significant national days and to use various communication channels, including mobile apps, to disseminate information. Additionally, strengthening the capacity of elected representatives and Panchayat Secretaries is crucial for effective Gram Sabha functioning.

References

  1. Annual Report 2023-24(English) | Ministry Of Panchayati Raj | India. (n.d.). https://panchayat.gov.in/document/annual-report-2023-24english/
  2. Ministry Of Panchayati Raj | सशक्त पंचायत सतत् विकास | India. (n.d.). https://panchayat.gov.in/
  3. Study Reports/Conference Proceedings | Ministry Of Panchayati Raj | India. (n.d.). https://panchayat.gov.in/study-reports-conference-proceedings/

About the Contributor– Meenu Mohan is a Research Intern at the Impact and Policy Research Institute, and holds a BSMS Degree in Mathematics from IISER, Bhopal.

Acknowledgment– The author extends sincere thanks to Dr. Arjun Kumar, Aasthaba Jadeja, Naushaba, and Ishita Deb. 

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