New Delhi: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL) to establish Electric Vehicle (EV) charging and battery swapping stations on Panchayat land across the country.
The partnership with Convergence Energy Services is aimed at creating new revenue opportunities for Panchayats while expanding clean mobility infrastructure in rural areas.
The MoU was signed during the National Workshop on the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) 2026-27, organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj in New Delhi on October 30, 2026.
The workshop was attended by more than 400 participants from across the country.
Convergence Energy Services Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power, will undertake the development of EV charging and battery swapping infrastructure on suitable Panchayat land.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh and Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Dr. Vineet Joshi.
The MoU was exchanged by Mukta Shekhar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Akhilesh Kumar Dixit, Director, Convergence Energy Services Limited.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Convergence Energy Services is intended to bring together rural local governance, green mobility and sustainable revenue generation.
Under the agreement, EV charging and battery swapping stations will be established on Panchayat premises and at other suitable locations, including locations along State and National Highways.
The infrastructure will cater to two-wheelers, three-wheelers, four-wheelers, and medium and heavy-duty vehicles.
The partnership is expected to create new Own Sources of Revenue (OSR) opportunities for Gram, Block and District Panchayats across States and Union Territories.
Through the Convergence Energy Services partnership, Panchayat land can be utilised for clean mobility infrastructure while generating recurring income for Panchayats.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will facilitate coordination with State Panchayati Raj Departments for the identification and monitoring of suitable sites.
Convergence Energy Services will be responsible for site assessment, demand aggregation, supply, installation, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the EV charging and battery swapping infrastructure.
The initiative is aligned with the Ministry’s broader efforts to strengthen the financial sustainability of Panchayats by enhancing their Own Sources of Revenue.
It also follows the recently released Model Panchayat Tax, Rates and Fees Rules, or Model OSR Rules, which provide a framework for transparent, accountable and locally driven revenue mobilisation.
Through the MoU, Convergence Energy Services and the Ministry of Panchayati Raj will explore the use of Panchayat-level public assets to expand access to electric mobility infrastructure.
The initiative is also aimed at supporting clean and green villages, sustainable local development and financially stronger Panchayats.
Panchayat land will therefore be utilised as a productive community asset under the partnership, with the potential to generate recurring income for civic services, infrastructure and community welfare while improving access to EV services in rural areas.
The workshop also saw the release of the PPC 2026-27 booklet in English and Hindi.
Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, highlighted the importance of structured, participatory and inclusive planning at the grassroots level.
He also emphasised the role of technology-enabled integration and convergence in supporting better outcome-based planning.
The partnership will enable Panchayats to explore the commercial use of suitable public assets for EV charging and battery swapping infrastructure.
The initiative is expected to extend electric mobility infrastructure beyond urban centres by using suitable Panchayat land and locations along State and National Highways.
The collaboration between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Convergence Energy Services is thus focused on combining clean mobility infrastructure with sustainable revenue generation for rural local bodies.
