Consultation Held on Next Phase of RGSA

01 Aug 2025 CW Team

Workshop Charts Future Path for Panchayati Raj Reforms Under RGSA

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.

The insights and recommendations from the workshop will directly feed into the formulation of the next phase of RGSA, aimed at building more efficient, accountable, and development-oriented Panchayati Raj Institutions in line with the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.

Workshop Charts Future Path for Panchayati Raj Reforms Under RGSAThe 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.The insights and recommendations from the workshop will directly feed into the formulation of the next phase of RGSA, aimed at building more efficient, accountable, and development-oriented Panchayati Raj Institutions in line with the Viksit Bharat@2047 vision.

Real Estate

07 Aug 2026

BXB Estates Sets AED 110 Million Jumeirah Golf Estates Record

BXB Estates has completed an AED 110 million residential transaction at Jumeirah Golf Estates, setting a new sales record for the prestigious Dubai residential community.Negotiated by Alfie Tabrez, Managing Partner of BXB Estates, the deal surpassed the previous record of AED 58 million for a completed ready villa in the development.The six-bedroom residence offers 21,714 sq ft of built-up space on a 15,873-sq-ft plot. It features nine bathrooms, four living lounges, a home office, bar lounge, private cinema and rooftop terrace.The property also includes a dedicated wellness area comprising a ..

Infrastructure Urban

07 Aug 2026

SECR Floats Rs 6,019 Mn EPC Tender For Paradol Nagpur Link

South East Central Railway (SECR) has invited bids for an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract to build a new broad gauge single line between Paradol Takeoff Point and Nagpur Road Station in Chhattisgarh. The contract carries an estimated cost of Rs 6,019.0 mn and requires an earnest money deposit of Rs 120.4 mn. The work is framed as an EPC assignment intended to strengthen regional rail infrastructure. The tender, issued under number CAO-C-BSP-26-27-15, specifies a completion period of 730 days and a bid validity of 180 days. Two pre-bid meetings are scheduled for 24 Augu..

Infrastructure Transport

07 Aug 2026

Indian Railways Reports Nine Per Cent Rise In July Freight Loading

Indian Railways handled 141.3 million tonnes (141.3 mn t) of freight in July, marking a rise of nine per cent year on year. Freight loading maintained a positive trajectory across the network compared with the same month last year. Passenger traffic also increased in July, contributing to higher overall network utilisation. The July outcome continued a pattern of steady monthly gains, reflecting gradual improvement in industrial and logistics activity. The growth in freight volumes reflected stronger demand across multiple sectors and improvements in logistics and train turnarounds. Enhanced r..