The Uttarakhand government is preparing to double the financial assistance provided for the construction of panchayat buildings across the state. Following instructions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Panchayati Raj Department has sent a proposal to the state government seeking approval for the increased allocation.
At present, the state government provides ₹10 lakh for the construction of a panchayat building, while the central government contributes ₹20 lakh. Officials say the lower state share has been a major hurdle in completing construction work, especially in rural and remote areas. Due to this gap, many projects have remained pending for years.
According to Panchayati Raj Department Deputy Director Manoj Kumar Tiwari, a proposal has been prepared to increase the state contribution to ₹20 lakh per panchayat building, in line with the central government’s assistance. The proposal has been forwarded to the Finance Department, and once approved, it will be placed before the cabinet for final clearance.
Even after 25 years of statehood, Uttarakhand continues to face a shortage of basic panchayat infrastructure. Official data shows that more than 1,300 panchayat buildings are required across the state. Out of these, 803 gram panchayats currently do not have any panchayat building, while several others are functioning from dilapidated and unsafe structures.
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The department has sought detailed reports from all district panchayati raj officers regarding the condition and availability of panchayat buildings. Officials believe that increasing the state’s financial support is essential to speed up construction and strengthen grassroots governance.
