Bhubaneswar: The allocation of central grants for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Odisha has seen a progressive increase across successive Central Finance Commissions (CFCs), according to a statement given by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in the Rajya Sabha today.
The grants allocated to Odisha PRIs have risen significantly, moving from ₹2,898.22 crore under the XIII Finance Commission to ₹8,850.00 crore under the XIV Finance Commission, and further to ₹11,058.00 crore as per the recommendations of the XV Finance Commission. The Minister clarified that the final distribution of these funds within the state is contingent upon the recommendations of the State Finance Commission.
The implementation status of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) in Odisha shows the following central share funds released over the last three financial years: 2022-23: ₹11.40 crore, 2023-24: ₹27.33 crore, 2024-25: ₹20.00 crore
The flow of these RGSA funds depends on key operational factors, including the timely finalisation of the Annual Action Plan by the State, the release of the State’s matching share, the submission of utilisation certificates, and the overall pace of expenditure.
Odisha has shown strong participation in the centrally supported capacity building and training programmes mandated under the RGSA scheme. A cumulative total of 6,62,345 elected representatives and functionaries of PRIs have been trained in the State since the financial year 2022-23.
These training initiatives are delivered through various institutions, including the State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PR), the National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), and District Panchayat Resource Centres (DPRCs).
The primary objective of these programmes is to strengthen the governance capabilities and leadership skills of PRI members in areas such as planning, implementation, resource mobilization, and management. Additionally, thematic workshops have been conducted, focusing on critical sectors like health, education, gender equality, environmental protection, social security, and good governance.
The capacity building component of the RGSA scheme is implemented according to approved, uniform guidelines applicable to all States and Union Territories, with no flexibility allowed beyond the scheme’s established framework.