Ministry of Panchayati Raj

Increased fiscal devolution to local governments is gaining momentum in India, driven by recommendations from the Sixteenth and upcoming Finance Commissions. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is actively promoting data-driven governance through initiatives like the release of a dataset report for State Finance Commissions and the Panchayat Advancement Index, which recently earned a Gold e-Governance Award. Furthermore, the recognition of 42 outstanding Panchayats at the National Panchayat Awards, with a significant portion led by women, underscores the focus on inclusive rural development and incentivizes performance, supported by substantial financial allocations from the Finance Commission.