The National Consultative Workshop on the revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) was held today at Dr Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. The event was inaugurated by Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), and brought together senior officials from State and Union Territory Panchayati Raj Departments and State Institutes of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (SIRD&PRs).

The objective of the day-long workshop was to refine the implementation strategy for RGSA and contribute to the framework for its proposed next phase beginning 2026.

In his keynote address, Shri Bharadwaj emphasised the need to incorporate ground-level insights from stakeholders to enhance the upcoming version of RGSA. He highlighted the constitutional status of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as units of local self-government and called for their deeper involvement in governance, planning, and decision-making processes. He urged participants to share field-based feedback, noting that Panchayats must not be seen only as scheme implementers, but as equal partners in India’s democratic structure.

Shri Sushil Kumar Lohani, Additional Secretary, MoPR, noted that the current phase of RGSA is concluding in 2025 and that the workshop aimed to build consensus on the roadmap ahead. He said that the revamped version of RGSA had played a vital role in strengthening Panchayats across the country through capacity building, customised training, and digital tools. He cited achievements such as the integration of the entire “Planning to Payment” process via the eGramSwaraj Portal, which has enhanced transparency, accountability, and financial discipline. He also highlighted the Panchayat Advancement Index as a valuable tool for identifying local development gaps and promoting data-driven improvements.

The workshop featured a detailed presentation on the progress of the revamped RGSA, showcasing its evolution into a holistic initiative focused on capacity building, digital enablement, infrastructure, and innovation. A technical session outlined the scheme’s cost norms and funding structure.

Participants engaged in focused group discussions around five key components: Capacity Building & Training, Institutional Mechanisms, Panchayat Infrastructure, PESA implementation, and Special Components. These sessions encouraged states to share best practices, challenges, and policy suggestions for enhancing rural governance and enabling economic development at the grassroots level.