Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has taken several steps to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as effective units of local self-government. The State has devolved powers on 21 subjects across 11 departments to Panchayats in line with constitutional provisions.
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh), as reported by PIB India, said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Odisha has also introduced legal reforms, created new administrative posts, and expanded capacity-building programmes to improve grassroots governance.
Odisha currently has 6,794 Gram Panchayats. As “Panchayat” falls under the State List of the Constitution, the government holds full authority over its functioning and reforms. Article 243G empowers State legislatures to assign powers and responsibilities to Panchayats for planning and implementing schemes related to economic development and social justice.
The Odisha government has strengthened PRIs through participatory planning, improved staffing, and structured training initiatives. It has also improved service delivery through digital governance, financial transparency measures, and grievance redress systems.
At the national level, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj is implementing the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) from 2022–23. The scheme supports capacity building of elected representatives and Panchayat functionaries across States, including Odisha, Ranjan Singh added.
Under RGSA, officials conduct orientation, refresher, thematic, and specialised training programmes. Panchayats also receive training on preparing Gram Panchayat Development Plans. The scheme encourages exposure visits to high-performing “Beacon Panchayats” to promote best practices.
The government has partnered with premier institutes such as IIMs and IITs to run Leadership and Management Development Programmes. These programmes aim to improve decision-making and governance skills among elected representatives.
To strengthen financial independence, authorities developed an Own Source Revenue training module in collaboration with IIM Ahmedabad. The Ministry also launched a specialised leadership programme for Women Elected Representatives to enhance their administrative and managerial skills.
From 2022-23 to 2025-26, the Centre released Rs112.23 crore to Odisha under RGSA. During the same period, 7,50,736 participants received training in the State under the scheme.
Odisha’s Rural Local Bodies also receive grants recommended by the Finance Commission. The 15th Finance Commission allocated Rs2,258 crore for 2020–21 and Rs8,800 crore for 2021-26 to Rural Local Bodies in the State.
