Panchayat, being “Local Self Government”, is a State subject and part of the State list of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. However, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) since the financial year 2022-23 in States/ UTs. The main objective of the scheme is to strengthen the capacity of Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) by imparting training to Elected Representatives (ERs), Panchayat Functionaries and other stakeholders to develop their governance capabilities for leadership roles, enabling the Gram Panchayats and Local bodies to function effectively across all States/UTs including the State of West Bengal.

Apart from different trainings, the Scheme also supports development of Panchayat infrastructure like Gram Panchayat Bhawan, Computer and Co-location (on a limited scale) of Common Service Centers (CSCs) in Gram Panchayat Bhawan to the States/ UTs including in the State of West Bengal.

Under Revamped RGSA, the Central Empowered Committee of RGSA accords approval to the units under various components based on the Annual Action Plan (AAP) submitted by the State/UT. During the last four years (FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26), an amount of Rs.130.65 crore was released as Central Share to the State of West Bengal under the Scheme. Out of which, Rs.268.26 crore has been utilized by the State. Utilization of funds includes Central Share, State Share and unspent balance from previous years.

A total of 5,17,632 elected representatives of the State of West Bengal were trained on various aspects on rural governance from FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26. In addition, 199 units for the construction of Panchayat Bhawans and 1,712 units of Computers were approved under the scheme from FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26. The State has reported that 124 Panchayat Bhawan have been constructed and 1,185 units of computers have been procured during FY 2023-24 to 2026-27 (as on 5^th August 2026).

The State has also reported that all stakeholders of Panchayati Raj Institutions are invited to participate in various training programmes conducted under the Scheme.

Revamped RGSA is demand-driven in nature. Funds are released to States/UTs based on the Annual Action Plans approved by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), the pace of expenditure by the State and submission of requisite document for release of funds. The funds are utilized only for the approved components as prioritized by the States/UTs. The Ministry releases the funds under the scheme to States/UTs only. Rs.8.00 crore as Central Share in the 1^st Instalment was released to the State of West Bengal in the FY 2026-27 (as on 10^th July 2026).

As informed by the State, 199 units of the construction of Gram Panchayat Bhawans have been approved from FY 2023-24 to 2025-26 under the scheme of Revamped RGSA, out of which 124 units have been completed till 5^th August 2026 and remaining 75 units are different stages of completion. As per the information submitted in the Annual Action Plan of RGSA in the FY 2025-26 by the State, only 87 Gram Panchayats out of 3,339 do not have own building. Under Revamped RGSA Scheme, component wise fund has not been released to the States/UTs. State/UTs utilized the funds based on the approved components of their AAPs as per the priority.

To promote e-enablement of Panchayats, the Ministry is implementing the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (MMP), which has strengthened transparency, efficiency and governance at the grassroots level. As per the information available on Government e Marketplace (GeM) Portal, 267 Panchayats have adopted/ on-boarded on GeM. 1,881 Gram Panchayats have uploaded their Gram Panchayat Development Plan on eGramSwaraj Portal for the Plan Year 2026-27 in the State of West Bengal as on 06.08.2026. As informed by the State Govt. of West Bengal, a total of 10,111 elected representatives have been trained as on date under the scheme in FY 2026-27.

This information was given by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on 12^th August 2026.

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