Question : Panchayat Bhawans

(a) the number of Panchayat Bhawans constructed in various States/ UTs during the last three years and the current year;
(b) the number of Gram Panchayats still without Panchayat Bhawan in the country, State/ UT-wise;
(c) the details of funds allocated to the States/UTs for construction of Panchayat Bhawans during each of the last three years and the current year; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure the availability of Panchayat Bhawan to each Gram Panchayat in the country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

(SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (d) Panchayat is a State subject and providing Panchayat Bhawans for Gram Panchayats (GP) is primarily the responsibility of State Government/Union Territory (UT). The States are expected to mobilise funds for GP Bhawans from various sources. Details of GP Bhawans constructed under the various schemes are maintained at State/ UT level. As detailed in Annexure, there are around 65,794 Gram Panchayats without Panchayat Bhawans.

Under the erstwhile scheme of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA), Ministry of Panchayati Raj had provided financial assistance to States/ UTs for construction of Panchayat Bhawans upto 2014-15 against their proposals. During last three years i.e. from 2015-16 to 2017-18, this Ministry did not provide financial support to States for construction of Panchayat Bhawans. The States were advised to converge the funds available under MGNREGA and other relevant schemes for construction of Gram Panchayat Bhawans. Under the restructured centrally sponsored scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), opertionalised during the current financial year i.e. 2018-19, financial assistance is available for the construction of Panchayat Bhawans. During current year, the Ministry has sanctioned funds to States/ UTs for construction of Panchayat Bhawans on the basis of proposals from States, and the gaps in States regarding Panchayat Bhawan and overall allocation of funds. The funds sanctioned during 2018-19, for construction of Panchayat Bhawans are given at Annexure.

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