opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3731 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: FDI in Broadcasting Sector
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: RAJENDRA AGRAWAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3731 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2018

## FDI IN BROADCASTING SECTOR

## 3731.  SHRI RAJENDRA AGRAWAL:

- Will the Minister of INFORMATION & BROADCASTING be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  application  for  Foreign  Direct Investment  (FDI)  in  broadcasting  sector  after  the  abolition  of  Foreign  Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether it is a fact that the application is pending in the Ministry for more than one  year  even  after  getting  permission/No  Objection  Certificates  from  various Ministries and departments and if so, the reasons therefor; (c) whether the officers are not working against the Government's policy of ease of doing business and if so, the action taken against such errant officials; and (d)  whether  the  officials  are  not  ready  to  adhere  to  the  Standard  Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by DIPP for clearing FDI application and if so, the details
- thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING  {COL.  RAJYAVARDHAN  RATHORE (Retd.)}

- (a)  to  (d):  After  the  abolition  of  Foreign  Investment  Promotion  Board  (FIPB),  the Government received 4 applications from  companies engaged  in various  activities related to the broadcasting sector for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of which one which is more than one-year-old is still under consideration of the Government.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3730 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: R&D Bodies
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: KHAN SAUMITRA

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the R&D bodies under his Ministry have been told to show results or else shut down;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the status of contribution of these R&D bodies in improving the road infrastructure in the last three years; and
- (e) the  manner  in  which  the  academicians,  researchers  and  policy  planners  and  other stakeholders contributed in the last three years to the common good of improving road infrastructure?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to  (e)  There  is  no  Research  and  Development  body  under  this  Ministry.  However, depending  upon  the  requirement,  Research  Schemes  are  sanctioned  by  the  Ministry  to Research/Academic  Institutes.    Based  on  the  outcome  of  research  conducted  in  the country/abroad,  various Indian  Roads  Congress  (IRC)  standards  are  appropriately modified/framed.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3730

ANSWERED ON 9 TH AUGUST, 2018

## R&D BODIES

## 3730. SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 3729 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: DUSHYANT CHAUTALA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3729

ANSWERED ON 9 TH AUGUST, 2018

## KUNDLI-MANESAR-PALWAL (KMP) EXPRESSWAY

## 3729. SHRI DUSHYANT CHAUTALA :

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सडक़ परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway in Haryana has missed several deadlines for the last 14 years and is about to come into operation soon;
- (b) if  so,  the  additional  escalated  cost  met  by  the  Government  due  to  the  delay  in completion of the project;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  also  planned  to  establish  seven  Toll  Plazas  on  this expressway when it becomes operational; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

- (a)& (b) The construction of Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway has been taken up by the Government of Haryana. Total length of the stretch is 135.65 Km. Earlier the  work  for  development  of  KMP  Expressway  was  awarded  in  year  2006; however, the contract was terminated in 2015. Subsequently, in pursuance to the order of Hon'ble Supreme Court and decisions taken by Government of Haryana, the work of KMP Expressway has been divided into two sections namely KundliManesar section (83.32 Km) and Manesar-Palwal section (52.33 Km). The work of Manesar-Palwal section has already been completed in March, 2016. The work of Kundli-Manesar section has been awarded with scheduled date of completion as February, 2019. No  escalation in construction cost has been met by the Government of India as the project has been taken up by Government of Haryana.
- (c)& (d)   There  are  seven  toll  plazas  planned  on  the  Kundli-Manesar  Section  of  KMP Expressway  at  km  7.860,  km  17.550,  km  35.618,  km  53.265,  km  66.819,  km 74.069 and km 81.760.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3727 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Vehicles Running on Clean Fuel
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: BANSHILAL MAHTO

be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government has decided to promote the use of vehicles running on clean fuel in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has fixed any criteria in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether the automobile manufacturing companies have started manufacturing such vehicles and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (f) Government has taken proactive steps to promote environment friendly vehicles which are  innovative,  ushering  in  proactive  use  of  natural  resources.  To  promote  alternate  fuels,  the Government has issued various notifications specifying mass emission standards for Compressed Natural Gas, Biodiesel(B-100), flex-fuel (E 85) or (E 100) and ethanol (ED 95), LNG and flexfuel Methanol M15 or M100 and Methanol MD 95 vehicles. Further for promotion of electric vehicles,  Government has notified for retro-fitment of hybrid electric system or electric kit to vehicles  and  has  specified  the  type  approval  procedure  of  electric  hybrid  vehicles.    The Government has also mandated mass emission standard for BS-VI throughout the country with effect from 1 st April 2020.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3727

ANSWERED ON 9 TH  AUGUST, 2018

## VEHICLES RUNNING ON CLEAN FUEL

## 3727. DR. BANSHILAL MAHATO:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## lM+d ifjogu vkSj jktekxZ ea=h
Lok Sabha Question No. 3726 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Cartoon TV Channels
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: P.R. SUNDARAM, RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE, JAYAKUMAR JAYAVARDHAN, VIJAYSINH MOHITE PATIL, HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, DHANANJAY BHIMRAO MAHADIK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3726

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2018

## CARTOON TV CHANNELS

3726.  SHRI P.R. SUNDARAM:

SHRI SATAV RAJEEV:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

DR. J. JAYAVARDHAN:

SHRI MOHITE PATIL VIJAYSINH SHANKARRAO:

DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:

SHRI DHANANJAY MAHADIK:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION & BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Cartoon TV channels which have been issued licenses during the last three years and the number of channels functional out of them;
- (b)  the  number  of  Cartoon  TV  channels  which  have  either  stopped  functioning  or surrendered their licences;
- (c) whether watching cartoons have lasting effects on the children;
- (d) if so, whether the Government has made any assessment regarding the impact of cartoon channels on them and if so, the details and outcome thereof;
- (e) whether  the Government  proposes  to  regulate/limit the telecast of cartoon programmes  by  private  channels/  Doordarshan  in  accordance  with  the  examination schedule of children and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the remedial measures taken/ being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING {COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE (Retd.)}

(a) & (b): The Government grants permission to TV channels only under 2 categories: 'News  &  Current  Affairs'  and  'Non-News  &  Current  Affairs'.  There  is  no  separate categorization such as cartoon channels, sports channel, etc. with regards to grant of permission.  However,  'non-news  and  current  affairs'  channels  are  permitted  to  air programmes of any nature including cartoon, provided the content of the programme adheres to Programme code stipulated under the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995.

(c) & (d): Research does indicate that watching cartoon has both negative and positive effects. However, the Government is not aware of any study/research which conclusively proves that watching cartoons or any such other programme have lasting effect on children.

(e) & (f):  Presently there is no such policy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3723 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Employment on Compassionate Grounds
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: RAJESH VERMA

## भारत सरकार सड़क पररवहन और राजमार्ग मंत्रालय

## लोक सभा

र्ु रुवार, 9नअर्स्न त, 2018/18नश्रावण, 1940न(शक)

अनुक ं पानआधारनपरननौकरी

3723.

श्रीनराजेशनवमागाः

क्या सड़कनपररवहननऔरनराजमार्ग मंत्री यह बताने की क ृ पा करेंगे ककिः

- ( 2017-18 ककतने आवेदन क े न्द्र सरकार को प्राप्त ह ु ए हैं ;
- क) वर्ष क े  दौरान अनुक ं पा आधार पर नौकरी देने क े  संबंध में संसद सदस्यों की ससफाररश वाले
- ( ख) इनमें से ककतने आवेदन अनुसूचित जातत वगष से संबंचधत हैं ; और
- ( और उक्त अनुक ं पा आधार का ब्यौरा क्या है ?
- ग) ऐसे ककतने व्यक्क्तयों को संसद सदस्यों की ससफाररश से अनुक ं पा आधार पर तनयुक्त ककया गया है

## सड़क पररवहन और राजमार्ग मंत्रालय में राज्न य मंत्री ( . )

## उत्न तर श्री मनसुि एल मांडववया

(क)नएवंन(ि) : कासमषक एवं प्रसशक्षण ववभाग अनुक ं पा तनयुक्क्त संबंधी नीतत तय करता है क्जसे भारत

, सरकार  क े   मंत्रालयों/ववभागों  द्वारा  कियाक्न्द्वत  ककया  जाता  है।  संबंचधत  मंत्रालयों/ववभागों  में  अनुक ं पा आधार पर तनयुक्क्त क े  सलए माननीय संसद सदस् यों  द्वारा  संस् तुत मामलों का कोक क े न्द् रीक ृ त  आंक ा नहीं रखा जाता है। जहॉ तक स क पररवहन एवं राजमागष मंत्रालय का संबंध है , वर्ष 2017-18 क े  दौरान अनुक ं पा क े  आधार पर तनयुक्क्त क े  संबंध में माननीय संसद सदस् यों से 3 संदभष प्राप् त ह ु ए ेे। इनमें से , एक आवेदन अनुसूचित जातत क े  व् यक्क्त से प्राप् त ह ु आ ेा।

(र्): असभलेखों क े  अनुसार इस तरह की कोक तनयुक्क्त नहीं की गयी है।

*****

ललखित प्रश्न न सं . 3723
Lok Sabha Question No. 3721 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Construction of Renuka Dam
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: VIRENDER KASHYAP

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 3721

ANSWERED ON 09.0 8.201 8

## CONSTRUCTION OF RENU KA DAM

## 3721. SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has any plan to construct Renuka Dam in Himachal Pradesh and the details thereof;

- (b) whether the said dam is likely to feed Delhi also and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the extent of hydro - power to be generated therefrom; and
- (d) the timeframe fixed for its completion?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## ( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a)& (b) Renukaji Dam Project has been contemplated as a storage scheme to be implemente Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd on river Giri, a tributary of river Yamuna, to aug drinking water supply of National Capital Territory of Delhi. The project envisages constru 148- m high Rockfill dam  in District Sirmour of Himachal Pradesh. As per Clause 7 (viii amended revised draft agreement to be signed by  co - basin State Government s on construction of Renukaji Dam Project in Upper Yamuna basin, the storage created as a result of implement Renuka Project, shall be regulated by Upper Yamuna River Board (UYRB) to meet drinking w needs  of  Delhi.  This  arrangement  will  be  unti l  other  storages  viz.  Lakhwar,  Kishau  in  Upper Yamuna catchment are created at which stage releases from Renuka shall be carried out ke view the overall annual allocation of Yamuna water as per MoU dated 12.05.1994 betwee States.

(c)The pro ject envisages incidental  hydropower generation  with installed capacity of 40

(d) As  per  DPR  of  the  project  prepared  by  Himachal  Pradesh  Power  Corporation  Ltd., construction period of the project has been estimated as six years.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3720 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Encroachment of Footpaths
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: HEMANT TUKARAM GODSE

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  encroachment  of  footpaths  are  causing    huge difficulties to the public and also traffic jams across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI MANSUKH L. MANDAVIYA)

(a)  to  (c)  No  specific  information  is  available  with  regard  to  the  difficulties  caused  by encroachment  of  Footpaths.  Transportation  by  Road  is  a  State  Subject  under  the  Seventh Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India,  therefore,  the  State  Governments  are  primarily responsible through their law enforcement agencies.

***

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3720

ANSWERED ON 9 TH   AUGUST, 2018

## ENCROACHMENT OF FOOTPATHS

3720. SHRI GODSE HEMANT TUKARAM:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 3718 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Press Information Bureau
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3718 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2018

## PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU 3718.  DR. SUNIL BALIRAM GAIKWAD:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has not achieved the desired objectives for which the Press Information Bureau (PIB) was constituted;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has reviewed/proposes to review the functioning of PIB; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the steps being taken by the Government  to further strengthen the Bureau?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING  [COL.  RAJYAVARDHAN  RATHORE (Retd.)]

- (a) & (b):    Press Information Bureau is the nodal agency of the Government of India for dissemination of information through various media products like Press Releases, Press  Conferences,  Press  Communiqué,  Press  Notes  etc.  PIB  arranges  Press briefings/  interviews  for  the  Ministries/  Secretaries  on  the  various  important  policy initiatives,  announcements of the Central Government, which are well attended by both Print  and  Electronic  Media. PIB  has also  become very active in  social media and  it  disseminates  information  through  various  social  media  platforms.  PIB  is working for the desired objectives for which it was setup.
- (c)  &  (d):    Review  of  Press  Information  Bureau  is  done  on  regular  basis  by  the Ministry.  Secretary,  Information  and  Broadcasting  reviews  its  working  through Weekly  Meetings.  Based  on  such  review  and  deliberations,  for  the  purpose  of effective communication outreach, the country has been divided into eight zones and Additional Director General Level officers have been posted in all major states and designated as ADG (Regions). A detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of Indian  Information  Service  (IIS)  officers  posted  as  Additional  Director  General (Region) has been put into operation w.e.f. 15 th January 2018 which is available at http://mib.gov.in/sites/default/files/ORDERNO.8\_2018.pdf.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Delay in Flight Operations due to Rubber Deposits on Runways
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

Minister of State in the

(a): No, Madam:

(c) & (d) Rubber deposits from runway are removed on regular basis for maintaining runway friction values as per norms to avoid aircraft skidding: Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 4 Series B Part 1 provides guidance on establishing the design objective for new runway surfaces and maintenance\_planning and minimum friction levels for runway surfaces in use to preclude runway conditions   becoming slippery:

*****

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether rubber deposits on runway at many airports are causing delay in flight operations;
- whether the rubber deposits have to be removed on a war footing to avoid skidding of aircraft; and

UNSTARRED QUESTIQN NO. : 3717

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

(To be answered on the August 2018) 9th

## DELAY IN FLIGHT OPERATIONS DUE TO RUBBER DEPOSITS ON RUNWAYS

3717.

SHRI K ASHOK KUMAR

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

- (6) if s0, the details thereof;
2. (d) if the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard? SO,

ANSWER

Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(b): Does not arise.

(Shri Jayant Sinha)
Lok Sabha Question No. 3715 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Indian Textile Products
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3715

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2018

## INDIAN TEXTILE PRODUCTS

3715. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is concerned about the lower marketing value of Indian Textile products in the global market;
- (b) if  so,  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  promote  Indian  textile  as  a brand  in  the  international  market  and  develop  a  comprehensive  and integrated  Annual  Marketing  Plan  in  association  with  various  Export Promotion Councils (EPCs); and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## उत्तर ANSWER वस्त्र राज्य मंरी (श्री अजय टम्टा)

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

(a) to (c): India's exports of textile and clothing sector (including handicrafts) have increased from US$ 39.0 bn in 2016-17 to US$ 39.2 bn in 2017-18. To promote Indian textiles in international markets, Government has approved an Integrated  Marketing  plan  2018-19  for  textiles  and  apparel  sector.  Certain traditional  and  emerging  markets  have  been  identified  for  export  promotion activities  through  participation  in  exhibitions  and  B2B  meetings  to  increase exports. Details of the same are available at:

http://texmin.nic.in/sites/default/files/MarketingPlan2018-19a.pdf

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-09
Subject: Success of PRIs
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: C. MAHENDRAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3714

## ANSWERED ON 09.08.2018

## Success of PRIs

## 3714. SHRI C. MAHENDRAN:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- a) whether  the  Panchayati  Raj  Institutions  (PRIs)  System  in  India  has  not  been  an absolute success according to the Government;
- b) if so, the details thereof;
- c) whether its functioning in all these years has demonstrated numerous shortcomings;
- d) if so, the details thereof;
- e) whether it is full of unscientific distribution of functions; and
- f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to  (f)  The  73 rd Amendment to the Constitution which came into effect from April 24 th , 1994, gave Constitutional status to Panchayats.  The major objectives of this amendment, was to provide for Gram Sabhas in a village, constitution of Panchayats at village & other levels, ensure  direct elections to Panchayats every five years, fix a term of five years for Panchayats,  reservations in seats and offices for the Scheduled Caste  (SC), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Women, and make  provisions  for elections   to Panchayats  under  the superintendence,  direction  and  control   of   the  chief   electoral  officer  of  the  State;  and devolution by the State legislature of powers & responsibilities upon Panchayats.  These

objectives  have  been  implemented  by  most  States/UTs  covered  under  Part  IX  of  the

Constitution of India.

Article  243G  allows  discretion  to  States  in  the  matter  of  devolution  of  powers  (funds, functions and functionaries) and authority to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to enable them to function as institutions of local self-governance. The States vary significantly in the extent to which they have devolved powers to the Panchayats to plan, implement and monitor  schemes  for  economic  development  and  social  justice.  States  also  vary  in  the extent  to  which  they  have  built  the  capacities  of  Panchayats  in  the  discharge  of  the devolved powers. Accordingly, the performance and success of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) also varies from State to State.

Some major shortcomings in the functioning of Panchayats in some areas include inter alia  Inadequate  devolution  of  resources  and  powers  in  line  with  functions  devolved  on Panchayats, 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.

*******