Lok Sabha Question No. 263 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: Effective Functioning of PRIs
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 263

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.07.2018

## Effective Functioning of PRIs

## †263. SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) the criteria stipulated for the assessment of functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the country;
- (b) the details of major hurdles indentified in the effective functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country;
- (c) the steps taken by the Government for the resolution of these hurdles along with the mechanism established for the monitoring of the functioning of PRIs; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to bring any effective law in order to improve the functioning of PRIs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) There is no single criterion stipulated for the assessment of functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the country; however, Ministry of Panchayati Raj has examined the functioning and performance of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through studies taken up from time to time, on various aspects of Panchayats.

Studies  have  been  conducted  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. The findings/ outcomes of  these  studies  are  aligned  towards  enabling  PRIs  to  function  effectively  and  efficiently. Further, MoPR in collaboration with State Governments, identifies and incentivizes PRIs by awarding the best performing Panchayats on the basis of defined criteria/parameters.

(c) To address issues raised in studies, MoPR has taken various measures which include inter alia, issuing guidelines/ advisories to States 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  has  also  been  provided  to  the  States/  UTs  for  capacity  building  of Panchayats under the relevant schemes of Capacity Building of PRIs.  In order to strengthen the  governance  capabilities  of  PRIs  to  deliver  on  Sustainable  Development  Goals,  the Government  has  approved  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  Rashtriya  Gram  Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) to be implemented during 2018-19 to 2021-22 with total outlay   of   Rs 7255.50 crore having  Central share of Rs. 4500 crore and State share of 2755.50 crore.

MoPR has also developed a suite of core common applications called the Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) Applications to aid Panchayats to undertake functions like planning, budgeting, implementation, accounting, monitoring and delivery of citizen services.

(d) Within the Constitutional framework 'Panchayat' is a State Subject mandated under Part IX and List II (State List) of Seventh Schedule (Article 246) of the Constitution of India.

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