Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana:
The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY).
- Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and rural development across the country.
- Time Period: 2026-27 to 2030-31
- The scheme will extend to all States/UTs, including institutions of rural local government (traditional local bodies) in non-Part IX areas where Panchayats do not exist.
Key Features of Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana:
- Annual planning target: Support preparation of55 lakh Gram Panchayat Development Plans on the eGramSwaraj portal, bringing together village priorities, departmental interventions and available resources.
- Capacity building: Train and provide digital support to around 32 lakh elected representatives, Panchayat functionaries and other stakeholders annually.
- Financial accountability: Support at least 2.55 lakh online audit plans annually and timely completion of the corresponding audits through AuditOnline, alongside better accounting, public disclosure and mobilisation of Panchayats’ own revenue.
- Citizen engagement: Each coordinated awareness exercise is intended to reach at least one crore citizens.
- The scheme will use Gram Sabhas and existing outreach tools, including PANCHAM, a two-way platform available in 17 Indian languages.
- Implementation: States and Union Territories will submit annual action plans for appraisal by a Central Empowered Committee. No permanent posts will be created under the scheme, although need-based contractual staff may provide technical support.
