Centre shifts focus to local planning with Rs.7,395-crore village scheme

The Union Cabinet approved Rs.7,395 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana. The scheme aims to strengthen panchayats through local development planning, capacity-building for elected representatives, better utilisation of Finance Commission grants and mobilisation of own-source revenue

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an allocation of Rs.7,395 crore for the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw describing it as a paradigm shift from prescription-based schemes to a model focused on local-level capacity-building and planning.

Vaishnaw said the scheme would enable panchayats to identify their local resources and constraints and prepare development plans based on their specific needs.

---

“This is a paradigm change,” the Minister said, explaining that the approach would move away from schemes that prescribe interventions and instead strengthen local institutions to plan their own development.

A major focus of the scheme is capacity-building for elected representatives. General and specialised training will be provided to improve their functioning and governance capabilities.

The scheme also seeks to financially empower panchayats through better utilisation of Finance Commission grants and mobilisation of their own-source revenue, making them more self-reliant, he said.