The Union Government has released over ₹235 crore to Jammu and Kashmir over the last five years to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), according to official data tabled in the Lok Sabha.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj informed Parliament that Jammu and Kashmir received ₹25 crore in 2020–21, ₹40 crore each in 2021–22 and 2022–23, and ₹65 crore each in 2023–24 and 2024–25 under RGSA .
The data shows that fund utilisation in the Union Territory has been significant. Against the releases, utilisation stood at ₹9.56 crore in 2020–21, ₹66.15 crore in 2021–22, ₹57.75 crore in 2022–23, ₹98.61 crore in 2023–24, and ₹57.89 crore in 2024–25, including state share and previous balances, the ministry said.
The Centre also informed Parliament that large-scale capacity-building programmes have been carried out in Jammu and Kashmir. Under RGSA, 2.84 lakh participants were trained in 2022–23, 3.50 lakh in 2023–24, 82,534 in 2024–25, and 9,091 participants during 2025–26 so far, covering elected representatives and Panchayat functionaries at different levels.
To strengthen grassroots infrastructure, the ministry said that 1,000 Gram Panchayat Bhawans have been approved for Jammu and Kashmir under RGSA since 2022–23. In addition, 1,318 computers have been sanctioned to improve digital record-keeping and e-governance at the Panchayat level.
The Centre told Parliament that RGSA is the only centrally sponsored scheme for capacity building of Panchayati Raj Institutions and focuses on training elected representatives, improving institutional support, and providing limited infrastructure such as Panchayat buildings and computerisation.
The ministry said Panchayats are a state subject, but the Union Government supplements their functioning through continuous financial and technical support. Proposals submitted by states and Union Territories, including Jammu and Kashmir, are examined annually through Annual Action Plans and approved by a Central Empowered Committee as per scheme guidelines.
The government further said that digital tools such as eGramSwaraj, Meri Panchayat, AuditOnline, and Online Panchayat NIRNAY are being promoted to ensure transparency, online payments, real-time monitoring and better conduct of Gram Sabhas. These platforms are aimed at improving planning, accountability and service delivery at the grassroots level.
