Lok Sabha Question No. 2758 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-01
Subject: Empowerment of Panchayats
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL, BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2758

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2016

## EMPOWERMENT OF PANCHAYATS

## 2758.  SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL: SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- a) the  details  of  the  fresh  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  make  the  gram panchayat system more strong and empowered;
- b) whether  some  State  Governments  have  raised  objection  on  direct  transfer  of  funds allocated by the Finance Commission to village Panchayats;
- c) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- d) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure the infrastructure development of the panchayats?

## ANSWER

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

(a): Under the Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) award, substantial funds to the tune of  Rs  2,00,292.20  crore  are  being  devolved  exclusively  for  the  Gram  Panchayats  over  a period  of  five  years  (2015-20)  which  offers  Gram  Panchayats  a  unique  opportunity  to strengthen  local  governance  and  improve  delivery  of  basic  services.  The  Ministry  of Panchayati  Raj  (MoPR)  has  taken  several  steps  to  strengthen  Panchayati  Raj  Institutions (PRIs)  including  the  Gram  Panchayats  (GPs),  in  the  States  and  Union  Territories  (UTs) covered under the Part IX of the Constitution through provisioning of financial and technical assistance under the schemes and programmes of the government and issue of advisories from time to time. The various measures taken include incentivizing States which have devolved more  functions,  funds  and  functionaries  to  Panchayats,  providing  financial  and  technical assistance  for  capacity  building  of  Panchayats  to  enable  them  to  perform  the  devolved functions  effectively  and  efficiently,  strengthening  systems  of  budgeting,  accounting  and auditing, development of software applications and imparting training for their use to bring in transparency, accountability and efficiency in their functioning, incentive awards to the best performing  Panchayats  and  assisting  the  States  in  formulation  of  detailed  guidelines  for preparation  of  participatory  Gram  Panchayat  Development  Plans  by  the  GPs  utilising  the resources available at their command. The progress of implementation of the provisions of Part  IX  of  the  Constitution  is  reviewed  by  MoPR  from  time  to time  through  meetings  and discussions with the States.

(b) No such request has been received from any State Government.

- (c) Does not arise.

(d) Apart from improving infrastructure  relating to  delivery of basic services under the FFC  award,  the  Panchayats  can  use  the  funds  available  under  other  state  and  centrally sponsored schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for provisioning infrastructure facilities in Panchayats as per respective scheme guidelines.

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