Bhubaneswar: The Centre has approved Rs 112.2 crore for Odisha under the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan from 2022-23 to strengthen local governance by training elected representatives and other stakeholders. The allocation aimed to improve leadership and administrative capabilities so that gram panchayats could perform their responsibilities more effectively.Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh shared these details in a written response in the Rajya Sabha. Official sources noted that Odisha currently has 6,794 functioning gram panchayats.RGSA focuses on building the capacity of panchayati raj institutions through structured training programmes for elected members, officials and associated stakeholders. The support covers multiple formats, including basic orientation and refresher courses, thematic sessions on key development issues, specialised programmes and training linked to the preparation of panchayat development plans. The scheme also funds exposure visits that allow panchayat representatives and staff to visit model panchayats and learn from successful practices across different sectors.As part of the leadership and management component, training was delivered through reputed institutions such as the IIM and the IIT under management development programmes. These initiatives intended to sharpen governance knowledge, decision-making and leadership skills among PRI representatives and functionaries.To help gram panchayats improve financial independence, an own source revenue training module was created with support from IIM Ahmedabad. In addition, the ministry of panchayati raj introduced a specialised module for women elected representatives to strengthen leadership and managerial abilities and support the effective discharge of duties.Funding releases for Odisha under RGSA included Rs 11.4 crore in 2022-23, later enhanced to Rs 27.3 crore. The state received Rs 20 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 53.5 crore in 2025-26. Between 2022-23 and 2025-26, up to Jan 31, about 7.5 lakh participants from Odisha received training under the scheme.
