New Delhi, 28 October (H.S.): The Union Cabinet has approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM-VGSY), with a total outlay of Rs. 7,395.55 crore, to strengthen grassroots governance and promote the comprehensive development of villages across the country.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the Cabinet’s decision at a press conference on Wednesday. He said the scheme had been approved as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for the five-year period from 2026-27 to 2030-31.

Aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat, the initiative aims to bring about a transformative change in local governance and strengthen the institutional capacity of Panchayati Raj institutions and traditional local bodies. Its implementation period will coincide with the tenure of the 16th Finance Commission.

The scheme is expected to benefit more than 2.55 lakh panchayats and traditional local bodies, covering approximately 32 lakh elected representatives.

Financial Allocation

Vaishnaw said the scheme has a total budget of Rs. 7,395.55 crore, comprising Rs. 4,869.48 crore as the Centre’s share and Rs. 2,526.07 crore as the states’ contribution.

Beneficiaries and Public Outreach

Approximately 32 lakh elected representatives, Panchayat functionaries and other stakeholders across more than 2.55 lakh panchayats and traditional local bodies are expected to benefit directly from the initiative.

The scheme also places emphasis on public awareness, with each awareness programme expected to reach at least one crore citizens. Through these measures, the government aims to strengthen participatory governance, improve local administrative capacity and advance the broader objective of inclusive rural development.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar