Lok Sabha Question No. 3777 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Review of the Performance of PRIs
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: SHIVKUMAR CHANABASAPPA UDASI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3777

## ANSWERED ON 09.08.2018

## Review of the Performance of PRIs

## 3777. SHRI SHIVKUMAR UDASI:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- a) whether  the  Government  has  reviewed  the  performance  of  the  Panchayati  Raj Institutions (PRIs), if so, the details thereof;
- b) whether the budgetary allocation of funds are not sufficient for PRIs and if so, the details thereof; and
- c) the details of the various deficiencies noticed in the functioning of PRIs?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

- (a): 'Panchayat is  a  state subject mandated under Part IX and List II (State List) of Seventh Schedule (Article 246) of the Constitution of India. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) reviews  the  performance  of  Panchayati  Raj  Institutions  (PRIs)  from  time  to  time  through studies, review meetings, field visits, video conferences and other forums. MoPR periodically commissions  studies  on  issues  such  as  structure,  finances,  capacity  building  and  training, elections, e-enablement, devolution of powers to various tiers of Panchayats and other issues affecting growth, development and performance of Panchayats.
- (b):  Panchayats  get  funds  through  sectoral  schemes  implemented by  the  Central  as  well  as State  Governments,  Central  and  State  Finance  Commissions,  levy  of  taxes,  etc.  Under  the

Fourteenth  Finance  Commission  (FFC)  for  the  period  2015-20,  grants  to  the  tune  of  Rs. 2,00,292.20  crore  are  allocated  to  Gram  Panchayats  constituted  under  Part  IX  of  the Constitution for delivering basic services such as drinking water, sanitation and infrastructure etc. and technical and administrative support towards operations.

To strengthen governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions, the Government has  launched  in  April  2018,  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  Rashtriya  Gram  Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) for implementation during 2018-19 to 2021-22 with a total outlay of Rs. 7255.50 crore having Central share of Rs. 4500 crore and State share of 2755.50 crore.

(c):  Inadequate  devolution  of  powers,  manpower  constraints,  inadequate/poor  capacities  of elected  representatives  and  functionaries  of  Panchayats,  lack  of  basic  infrastructure  and amenities in Panchayats, social inequalities and lack of transparency etc. are shortcomings in the functioning of Panchayats.  To address these hurdles, MoPR has taken various measures which  include  issuing  guidelines/advisories  to States from  time  to  time  on  effective devolution,  basic  infrastructure/amenities,  strengthening  of  Gram  Sabhas,  enhancing  the presence and participation of women in Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings, allocation of 10%  of  Panchayat  funds  for  women  centric  activities  and  to  curb  the  cases  of  proxy attendance by relatives of EWRs etc. Besides, assistance is also provided to the States/ UTs for  capacity  building  of  Panchayats  under  the  relevant  schemes  for  Capacity  Building  of PRIs.

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