New Delhi: In a strategic move to refine local governance, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj hosted the third meeting of the committee tasked with rationalizing Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) activities on 16 February 2026.
Chaired by Additional Secretary Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, the session brought together regional representatives and technical experts from the National Informatics Centre to overhaul the current planning framework for greater efficiency and clarity.
The primary objective of this review is to strip away administrative duplication and eliminate ambiguity in local project implementation. By narrowing the focus to more concise and essential activities, the committee aims to help Gram Panchayats navigate their development goals without the burden of overlapping mandates.
A significant portion of the discussion was dedicated to syncing these local plans with the 16th Finance Commission’s recent recommendations, ensuring that rural development projects remain financially viable and aligned with the latest fiscal guidelines.
Beyond streamlining existing processes, the committee is also integrating modern priorities that have emerged in the current developmental landscape.
This includes a push for digital transparency and a stronger emphasis on sustainable local growth. By consolidating these efforts, the Ministry intends to create a more robust GPDP framework that empowers local bodies to execute their duties with precision while meeting the high standards of accountability set by the central government.