New Delhi: The implementation of Panchayati Raj Schemes in Odisha continues to progress, with allocations to Panchayati Raj Institutions increasing in line with recommendations of successive Central Finance Commissions, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, as reported by PIB india, said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Under the XIII Finance Commission, Odisha received grants amounting to Rs. 2,898.22 crore. The allocation increased significantly under the XIV Finance Commission to Rs. 8,850.00 crore, and further rose under the XV Finance Commission to Rs. 11,058.00 crore.
The final distribution of grants depends on how the State allocates funds in accordance with the recommendations of the State Finance Commission. Additionally, the release of funds under the revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is linked to the timely finalisation of the Annual Action Plan, the release of the State’s matching share, the submission of utilisation certificates, and overall expenditure progress.
Under the RGSA scheme, the central share released to Odisha was Rs. 11.40 crore in 2022-23, which increased to Rs. 27.33 crore in 2023-24, and stood at Rs. 20.00 crore in 2024-25. This information was provided by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.
Odisha has been actively participating in centrally supported capacity-building programmes for PRI elected representatives and functionaries under RGSA. Since 2022-23, a total of 6,62,345 representatives and functionaries have been trained. The training is conducted through institutions including the State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Indian Institutes of Management, and District Panchayat Resource Centres.
These capacity-building initiatives aim to strengthen governance, leadership, planning, implementation, resource mobilization, and management skills. Thematic workshops have also been organised in areas such as health, education, gender equality, environmental protection, social security, and good governance.
The RGSA scheme is implemented strictly as per approved guidelines applicable to all States and Union Territories, with no additional flexibility beyond the scheme provisions.
