New Delhi, 11 February 2026: In a decisive move to strengthen grassroots democracy and uphold gender justice, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has intensified efforts to eliminate proxy representation of elected women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). This long-standing issue—where male relatives unofficially control the decision-making of elected women leaders—has…
Tag: #LocalGovernance
Elections
Tackling Proxy Representation in Women-Led Panchayats
New Delhi: The Centre has reiterated that eliminating proxy representation of elected women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) remains a priority, even as it underlined that “Panchayat” is a State subject under the Constitution. States Hold Primary Responsibility Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha on February 11,…
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Centre Releases ₹213.9 Crores for Assam’s Rural Local Bodies
The Union Government has released ₹213.9 crore as XV Finance Commission (XV-FC) Untied Grants to strengthen rural local bodies across Assam. The first installment for the financial year 2025–26 has been disbursed for all 2,192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 182 Block Panchayats, and 27 Zilla Parishads in the State. These grants,…
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Women’s Leadership Strengthens India’s Three-Tier Governance: Harivansh
India’s experience with women’s leadership across Parliament, State Legislatures, and local self-government institutions has significantly strengthened democratic governance, improved transparency, and enhanced accountability, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Shri Harivansh said on Friday. Addressing the Lightning Round Session of the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC)…
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Centre Issues XV Finance Grants to Sikkim Panchayats
The Union Government has released the first instalment of XV Finance Commission Untied Grants for Rural Local Bodies in Sikkim for the financial year 2025–26, amounting to ₹643.50 lakh. The funds are allocated to all five District Panchayats (DPs) and 199 eligible Gram Panchayats (GPs) across the state. Additionally, Rs….
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National Workshop on Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats at Pune
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, in collaboration with the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Maharashtra, is organizing a two-day national workshop at Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA), Pune, on 8–9 January 2026. The workshop aims to showcase best practices of Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayats…
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₹224 Cr XV FC Grants Boost Rural Governance in Chhattisgarh
Centre Releases ₹224 Crore XV Finance Commission Grants for Rural Bodies in Chhattisgarh The Union Government has released over ₹224 crore as the first instalment of Untied Grants for the financial year 2025–26 under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) to strengthen rural local governance in Chhattisgarh. The funds are…
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NeSDA Way Forward Report: 23,934 E-Services Across States
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) has released the 31st edition of the NeSDA Way Forward Monthly Report for States and Union Territories, offering a comprehensive snapshot of India’s progress in digital governance. Covering November 2025, the report underscores the steady expansion of electronic service delivery and…
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Why India’s Big Cities Are Becoming Increasingly Unliveable
India’s largest cities are fast becoming symbols of urban distress, where toxic air, broken roads, traffic gridlock and overflowing garbage dominate daily life. This decline comes despite unprecedented government spending on highways, airports and metro systems, raising uncomfortable questions about how India governs its cities. From Jaipur’s fading heritage to…
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Centre Grants ₹723 Cr to Rural Bodies in Raj, Jhk
In a significant push to strengthen grassroots governance and rural development, the Union Government has released over ₹723 crore as grants to Rural Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions in Rajasthan and Jharkhand under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC). The funds aim to empower village-level institutions, improve basic services,…