New Delhi: In a significant step towards strengthening grassroots governance, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) hosted a National Consultative Workshop on the revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) on August 7, 2025, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, MoPR, and attended by senior officials from State Panchayati Raj Departments and SIRD&PRs across the country.
The consultative platform aimed to gather practical feedback and build a consensus for the next phase of the RGSA, which is expected to roll out in 2026.
Panchayats: Pillars of Participatory Democracy
Delivering the keynote address, Shri Vivek Bharadwaj emphasized the importance of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as equal stakeholders in governance, not merely scheme implementers. He highlighted the need for bottom-up feedback mechanisms, stating,
“Ground insights are crucial for shaping future-ready Panchayats.”
He encouraged field representatives to voice challenges and innovations from the grassroots to enable a dynamic and responsive planning structure. Shri Bharadwaj reiterated that the revamped RGSA must promote deeper PRI participation in planning, decision-making, and governance—aligned with the larger vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Building Consensus for the Next Phase of RGSA
Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, MoPR, noted that the current phase of RGSA will conclude in 2025. The proposed next-generation RGSA, to be launched in 2026, will be based on shared learnings and practical implementation feedback received through this workshop.
He highlighted the following key outcomes from the current RGSA phase:
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Enhanced capacity building and need-based training for Panchayat representatives
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Adoption of digital tools like the eGramSwaraj Portal, integrating “Planning to Payment” for improved transparency
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Use of the Panchayat Advancement Index to drive data-informed grassroots improvements
Technical Sessions and Collaborative Dialogue
The day-long workshop featured:
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A comprehensive presentation on the scheme’s evolution and digital integration
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A detailed breakdown of funding structures and cost norms
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Group discussions on five thematic areas:
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Capacity Building & Training
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Institutional Mechanisms
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Panchayat Infrastructure
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PESA Implementation
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Special Components (including innovation and rural economic development)
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State representatives shared best practices, challenges, and policy recommendations, contributing constructively to the roadmap for the upcoming RGSA phase.
Conclusion
The National Consultative Workshop on RGSA marked a pivotal moment in India’s rural governance journey. By fostering collaboration among stakeholders and emphasizing ground-level insights, the Ministry is reinforcing its commitment to empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions. The feedback from this dialogue will play a crucial role in refining a future-ready RGSA, aiming to build efficient, accountable, and citizen-centric Panchayats across India.
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