Panchayats

Strengthening panchayats: Building fiscal autonomy, institutional capacity

The problem is not merely a lack of revenue sources but also weak capacity to utilise existing powers

'Low income levels crimp panchayats' ability to raise own-source revenue'

Low incomes, limited economic activity and weak tax collection continue to constrain panchayats' own-source revenue, affecting their financial autonomy

Present service updates at Gram Sabhas: Panchayati Raj Ministry to depts

A ministry report recommends that state line departments present service delivery updates and scheme status at Gram Sabhas to improve participation, transparency and public trust

Panchayat ministry proposes CAG audit of local body 'empowerment'

Committee report recommends dedicated State Finance Commission units, Panchayat-level fiscal databases and standardised accounting practices to strengthen local fiscal devolution

Empowering panchayats: Hyperlocal representation alone will not help

Panchayats are expected to manage digital-governance platforms such as eGramSwaraj and Gram Manchitra, while simultaneously implementing schemes related to housing, water, sanitation, and employment

Tripura, Kerala top list of best-governed panchayats in India: PAI 2.0

Data shows that in Tripura, out of the total 1,176 gram panchayats which submitted data for the index, almost 943 (80.2 per cent) have figured in category 'A' as per the index

Rajasthan plans panchayat-level training to boost women's role in farming

The training program will also cover crop residue management, rainwater conservation, dryland farming, and timely irrigation during the critical growth stages of crops

Delayed civic polls are quietly weakening India's cities and villages

Globally, there are hardly any examples of well-functioning cities that developed without empowered, accountable local governments

Time for India's panchayats to reinvent and think like entrepreneurs

They have largely become implementers of government schemes rather than self-reliant local governments

Goa to launch portals for village panchayat services from August 1

In a sweeping overhaul, almost all village panchayat services in Goa were being shifted online in a phased manner, bringing grassroots governance into the digital age, a minister has informed in the state assembly. The shift to digital platforms will ensure people no longer have to physically visit panchayat offices for basic services, Goa Panchayat Minister Mauvin Godinho said in the House late Monday evening during the ongoing monsoon session of the state assembly. Godinho also said an Artificial Intelligence-based facial recognition attendance system across all village panchayats will be launched from August 1. "From income certificates to house repair permissions, nine major services are already available online. We are working towards 100 per cent digitisation of all panchayat services," he said. There are 186 village panchayats across both the North Goa and South Goa districts. Godinho said services like the issuance of residence, income and character certificates, NOCs for

Surprised that PESA implementation not completed yet: Parliamentary panel

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj on Monday said it is surprised to note that even after almost 30 years of passing the PESA Act, its implementation has not been completed yet. In an action taken report tabled in Parliament on Monday, the committee, which is headed by Congress MP Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka, said that many states still lack the necessary rules and important laws related to land, forests and minerals, which are not fully aligned with PESA. The committee in its report noted the steps taken by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for the effective implementation of the provisions of Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, commonly known as the PESA Act. "The committee is surprised to note that even after almost 30 years of passing the PESA Act, its implementation has not been completed yet. Many states still lack the necessary rules and important laws related to land, forests, and minerals which are not fully aligned wit

Himachal govt to set up the emergency response centre in all panchayats

The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday gave its consent for setting up Panchayat Emergency Response Centre in all panchayats of the state, according to an official statement. In a meeting held here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the cabinet gave its consent for Panchayat Emergency Response Centre in each of the 3,645 panchayats of the state to ensure effective response in the event of natural disasters to save human lives and properties. To encourage self-employment and reduce dependence on conventional energy sources, it also approved the provision of interest subsidies for the establishment of solar power projects, the statement issued here said. Under this initiative, a five per cent interest subsidy will be provided for solar projects ranging from 100 KW to 1 MW in tribal areas, while a 4 per cent subsidy will be extended for projects with capacities between 250 KW and 2 MW in non-tribal regions. The cabinet also approved the signing of a

Panchayat Season 4: Check release date, OTT platform, plot, cast and more

Panchayat Season 4 Trailer Out: One of the much-anticipated series, Panchayat season 4, is set to release on June 24. Here's all you need to know

Panchayat season 4: Politics heats up Phulera as Pradhan-ji eyes election

The teaser of Panchayat Season 4 is out! As polls approach, Pradhan Ji, Bhushan & gang gear up for a political showdown in Phulera. Drama, satire & Sachiv Ji return on July 2 on Prime Video

Assam records 70.19% turnout in phase one of panchayat elections 2025

The second phase of the polls will be held on May 7 in the remaining 13 districts, and the counting of votes will take place on May 11

Panchayat poll candidates obligated to disclose info on pending cases: SC

The Supreme Court has upheld a decision of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, which said the candidates contesting panchayat elections were obligated to disclose information about the pending cases against them. A bench of justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh made the remarks while affirming the decision of the Himachal Pradesh High Court to uphold the dismissal of the 'pradhan' (head) of the Pangna village panchayat in Mandi district. The high court on October 16, 2024, held that the concealment of material facts by the petitioner amounted to "corrupt practice" under the provisions of Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and was another valid ground to declare his election null and void. The top court said, "We fail to find any merit as far as the petitioner's challenge to the impugned order(s) and judgment(s) of the high court are concerned. We say so for the reason that the regulations framed by the State Election Commission have rightly been held by the high court to be

Grassroots governance: Development requires strong panchayats at the core

Panchayats are the closest tier of governance to the people. Unlike top-down models, a panchayat-led approach allows for contextual strategies that take into account multiple local factors

PM Modi likely to visit Bihar on April 24: Union Panchayati Raj Minister

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Bihar later this month to attend a function organised on the occasion of 'Panchayati Raj Day', his cabinet colleague Rajiv Ranjan Singh said on Saturday. The JD(U) leader, who holds the Panchayati Raj portfolio, was talking to reporters at the state BJP headquarters, where leaders of the NDA in Bihar attended a meeting to review preparations for the PM's tour of April 24. The meeting was also addressed by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who flew in for the occasion and interacted via video conference with officials in Madhubani, the north Bihar district that PM Modi is scheduled to visit. "The PM's Madhubani tour on Panchayat Diwas is going to be historic", said Singh, also known as Lalan Singh. Asked whether the visit was being used to send a political message about NDA unity ahead of the upcoming assembly polls, Singh firmly dismissed the suggestion. "Please do not try to run your own agenda. The PM will not be reading fr

Gujarat, Tripura, Telangana shine in Panchayat index ranking, shows data

However, no panchayat across India could make the cut for the 'achiever' rank

Road to decentralisation: Rural local bodies need to be strengthened

Overall, devolution to rural local bodies increased from 39.9 per cent in 2013-14 to 43.9 per cent in 2021-22, said the govt report