Ministry of Panchayati Raj Advances Rural Development and EV Infrastructure
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj organized a National Workshop on the People's Plan Campaign (PPC) 2026-27 in New Delhi on October 30, 2026, with over 400 participants from across the country. During the workshop, Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced the Union Cabinet's approval of the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY), a next-generation governance transformation initiative aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat. The scheme aims to create awareness about government schemes, promote grassroots deliberations, integrate Centre and State schemes through a common digital platform, ensure timely preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs), and build capacities of Panchayat representatives.
Financial Allocation and Grants
Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary of the Ministry, highlighted that the Sixteenth Finance Commission has recommended total grants amounting to ₹4,35,236 crore for duly constituted Panchayati Raj Institutions/Rural Local Bodies in all 28 States for the award period 2026-31. This substantial allocation places greater responsibility on Gram Panchayats to ensure optimal utilization of funds. The Minister emphasized that performance-based grants are linked to revenue generation by Panchayats, underscoring the need for Gram Panchayats to enhance their Own Source Revenue (OSR) generation to become eligible for these grants.
EV Charging Infrastructure MoU
In a significant development, the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power, for establishing Electric Vehicle (EV) charging and battery swapping stations on Panchayat land throughout the country. The partnership will create new OSR opportunities for Gram, Block and District Panchayats across States and Union Territories, extending clean mobility infrastructure beyond urban centers to suitable locations along State and National Highways and Panchayat premises. The initiative will serve two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
Implementation Framework
The Ministry will facilitate coordination with State Panchayati Raj Departments for identification and monitoring of suitable sites, while CESL will undertake site assessment, demand aggregation, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance. This initiative aligns with the Ministry's efforts to empower Panchayats through enhanced OSR generation, including through the recently released Model Panchayat Tax, Rates and Fees Rules (Model OSR Rules), which provide a framework for transparent, accountable and locally driven revenue mobilisation.
People's Plan Campaign 2026-27
The PPC 2026-27, launched on October 2, 2026, under the theme "Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas", has evolved into a robust framework for the preparation of Gram, Block and District Panchayat Development Plans, localisation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and convergence of schemes and resources. The workshop emphasized the need for comprehensive GPDPs based on people's needs rather than being limited to available schemes or funding sources, with particular focus on incorporating OSR components and ensuring technology-enabled integration of Centre and State portals including eGramSwaraj and Samarth Panchayat Portal.