Brajendra K Parashar, Oct. 14 -- Lucknow Turning tragedy into hope for thousands of rural families, the Panchayat Kalyan Kosh, created under the panchayati raj department, has in just three years provided over Rs.136 crore to 3,866 families of deceased panchayat representatives.

As Uttar Pradesh prepares for the next panchayat elections due in April-May 2026, this little-known welfare scheme has emerged as a model of compassionate governance.

As per the 2021 panchayat polls, Uttar Pradesh has nearly eight lakh elected representatives in its three-tier panchayati raj system. Most of them work without regular salaries or notable perks, leaving their families financially vulnerable in the event of death.

For instance, when Rekha Devi, a g...