Centre Honours Panchayat Leaders, Launches Panchayat Initiatives

On the eve of the 77th Republic Day, the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj organised a special felicitation ceremony in New Delhi to honour elected Panchayat representatives invited as Special Guests for the Republic Day celebrations. The event highlighted the Centre’s focus on strengthening grassroots governance through recognition, digital innovation and outcome-based reforms.

Felicitation of Panchayat representatives

Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel congratulated the elected representatives and emphasised their role in last-mile governance. Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Vivek Bharadwaj, and other senior officials were present. The minister underlined the importance of Panchayat leaders in ensuring effective delivery of welfare schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Yojana to all eligible households.

SVAMITVA scheme and Republic Day tableau

The minister noted that, after a gap of ten years, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s tableau based on the SVAMITVA scheme will feature in the Republic Day Parade. He highlighted the scheme’s impact, stating that it has covered around 1.84 lakh villages and facilitated the issuance of nearly three crore property cards, helping reduce land disputes and administrative delays. Special emphasis was laid on women pradhans as role models in nurturing leadership at the village level.

Launch of digital initiatives and publications

The event marked the launch of several key initiatives and knowledge products, including PANCHAM – Panchayat Assistance and Messaging Chatbot, developed in collaboration with UNICEF, PESA Rankings 2024–25, the 17th issue of Gramoday Sankalp magazine, the Compendium of Basic Statistics on Panchayati Raj Institutions–2025 and the Expert Committee Report on Service Delivery at the Panchayat Level. These initiatives reflect the ministry’s push towards evidence-based and technology-enabled local governance.

Important Facts for Exams

• SVAMITVA scheme uses drone mapping to issue property cards in rural areas.
• PANCHAM chatbot provides digital assistance to Panchayat representatives.
• PESA Act applies to Fifth Schedule areas with special focus on Gram Sabha powers.
• Panchayati Raj is the third tier of governance under Part IX of the Constitution.

PESA Rankings and focus on AI-driven governance

Among the ten States with Fifth Schedule areas, Maharashtra secured first place in PESA implementation, followed by Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. The rankings aim to strengthen Gram Sabha-centric self-governance and promote outcome-oriented reforms. Officials also highlighted initiatives such as the SabhaSaar tool for automated Gram Sabha minutes and AI-based village drainage mapping, underscoring the ministry’s emphasis on innovation and digital empowerment of Panchayats.