Gandhinagar: The Gujarat government has introduced an 18-member Unified Taluka Planning Committee (UTPC) to replace the existing dual-track taluka planning system and streamline local governance and development planning across the state.
The decision, taken by the Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel-led government, follows the recommendations of the Fourth Report of the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission (GARC). The new system aims to make taluka-level development planning more systematic, coordinated and result-oriented.
Unified Taluka Planning Committee Replaces Multiple Bodies
Under the new arrangement, the existing Taluka Planning Committee and Aapno Taluko-Vibrant Taluko (ATVT) Executive Planning Committee have been merged into a single unified structure.
The move is aimed at simplifying administrative procedures and reducing duplication in development planning.
The government expects the UTPC system to:
- Improve coordination among different departments.
- Reduce administrative delays and duplication of work.
- Make development planning more systematic.
- Speed up the implementation of welfare schemes and development projects.
- Ensure better monitoring and accountability.
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GARC Report Highlighted Administrative Duplication
The decision follows the Fourth Report of the Gujarat Administrative Reforms Commission, which was submitted in August 2025.
The report highlighted that several taluka-level committees, including the Taluka Planning Committee, ATVT Executive Planning Committee and Taluka Panchayat Planning Committee, held separate meetings for different decentralised planning programmes.
According to the report, the system resulted in:
- Duplication of work.
- Increased administrative procedures.
- Unnecessary use of time and resources.
- Repeated discussions and consultations.
- Delays in decision-making and project implementation.
The report also noted that several members served on more than one committee. This led to repeated discussions on similar issues and prolonged the decision-making process.
To address these challenges, GARC recommended creating a single unified institution at the taluka level to oversee decentralised planning programmes.
UTPC to Focus on Local Development Priorities
Following the GARC recommendation, each taluka will now have a Unified Taluka Planning Committee responsible for development planning.
The committee will identify local development priorities and prepare integrated plans under the Decentralised District Planning Programme. It will also regularly review the progress of development works.
The UTPC will focus on key sectors, including:
- Education
- Healthcare
- Drinking water
- Roads
- Agriculture
- Irrigation
- Rural development
By aligning development plans more closely with local requirements, the new system aims to ensure that government schemes and benefits reach rural citizens more quickly and effectively.
UTPC Structure to Ensure Balanced Decision-Making
Development planning in each taluka will now be carried out through the UTPC, which has been structured to bring elected representatives and government officials together for coordinated decision-making.
The committee will include:
- President of the Taluka Panchayat – Chairperson
- Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) – Co-Chairperson
- Taluka Development Officer (TDO) – Member Secretary
- Local Member of Parliament (MP)
- Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)
- District Panchayat members
- Chairpersons of the Social Justice Committee
- Officials from the Health Department
- Officials from the Education Department
- Officials from the Irrigation Department
- Officials from the Roads and Buildings Department
- Officials from the Agriculture Department
The integration of elected representatives and government officials is expected to help ensure that development plans are based on local needs and that projects are implemented more efficiently.
Gujarat Aims to Strengthen Governance and Accountability
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has consistently emphasised administrative reforms aimed at simplifying governance and improving transparency and accountability.
The Unified Taluka Planning Committee is expected to accelerate decision-making while strengthening the monitoring of development projects and welfare schemes at the grassroots level.
The new framework is also expected to improve coordination between departments and reduce administrative bottlenecks in the implementation of development programmes.
UTPC to Support ‘Viksit Gujarat’ Vision
The Gujarat government has described the Unified Taluka Planning Committee as an important step towards integrated development planning and administrative innovation.
By bringing multiple planning mechanisms under one platform, the UTPC is expected to promote more coordinated development and accelerate progress at the taluka level.
The initiative, established in line with the recommendations of GARC, is aimed at strengthening local governance and reinforcing Gujarat’s vision of ‘Viksit Gujarat’.
