Lok Sabha Question No. 2521 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-10
Subject: Decentralization of Panchayati Raj Institutions
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Rambhual Nishad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2521

ANSWERED ON- 10.12.2024

## DECENTRALIZATION OF PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS

## 2521. SHRI RAMBHUAL NISHAD

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Panchayati Raj institution set up on the basis of decentralization of the administrative have failed to meet their own objectives;

(b) if so, whether the Gram Panchayats have failed to take the benefits of the schemes of the Government to the people;

(c) whether the Government carry out any monitoring of the responsibility and duties discharged by the Panchayat Adhayaksh and the Panchayat Adhikari;

(d) whether the Government is aware of the rampant corruption prevalent from villages to district level in Sultanpur (Uttar Pradesh); and

(e) the action being taken against the person involved in the corruption?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

(PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) to (c) 'Panchayat', being 'Local Government', is a State subject and part of State List of Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Panchayats are set up and operate through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts which may vary from State to State, subject to the provisions of the Constitution. Article 243G of the Constitution empowers the Legislature of a State to make provisions, by law, for the devolution of power and responsibilities upon Panchayat at appropriate level, subject to such conditions, as may be, specified with respect to the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice and implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them including those in relation to matters included in the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution. The State legislatures are to consider the 29 subjects illustratively set out in the Eleventh Schedule for devolution of power and responsibilities upon Panchayats. Accordingly, all

matters relating to Panchayats, including decentralization of powers and responsibilities to the Panchayats; to render benefits of government schemes to the beneficiaries living in a Panchayat or to monitor the responsibility and duties discharged by Panchayat functionaries, comes within jurisdiction of the State Government.

As far as Ministry of Panchayati Raj is concerned, this Ministry is implementing Revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme of RGSA w.e.f. financial year 2022-23 in States/ Union Territories with main objective for capacitating PRIs through imparting training to all the Elected Representatives, functionaries and other stakeholders to develop their governance capabilities for leadership roles to enable the Panchayats to function effectively.

To strengthen functioning of PRIs across the country, this Ministry has launched eGramSwaraj (https://egramswaraj.gov.in), a user friendly web-based portal, which aims to bring in better transparency in the decentralized planning, progress reporting, financial management, work-based accounting and details of assets created. The eGramSwaraj portal has also been integrated with Public Financial Management System for online transfer of the Central Finance Commission funds by the States to PRIs and enabling Panchayats to make real-time payments to vendors/service providers. Panchayats prepare and upload their Annual Panchayat Development Plans on eGramSwaraj portal. For the Plan Year/FY 2024-25, 2,54,773 Gram Panchayats have prepared and uploaded their Annual Development Plans (GPDPs) on eGramSwaraj portal. Further, an online application 'AuditOnline' has been developed for online audits of Panchayat accounts and their financial management. AuditOnline portal, launched in April 2020, facilitates transparent auditing of Central Finance Commission funds utilization and strengthens financial management of Panchayats.

(d) & (e) The Panchayati Raj Department, Govt. of Uttar Pradesh has informed that after the formation of new Gram Panchayats in the year 2021 in Sultanpur district, a total of 114 complaints were received against the Gram Pradhans under the Uttar Pradesh Panchayat Raj (Removal of Pradhans, Deputy Pradhans and Members) Inquiry Rules, 1997, in which district level officers were nominated as Enquiry officers in all 114 complaints as per the provisions of the rules. Out of the above complaints, a total of 36 investigation reports were received, out of which 17 complaints were found baseless. Show Cause Notices were issued against the remaining 19 complaints in which the Gram Pradhan was found guilty. On receipt of the reply to the issued notice, the reply of the Gram Pradhan was not found satisfactory, hence the financial and administrative rights of 10 Gram Pradhans were seized and a three-member committee was formed. In which, on receipt of the final investigation report of 2 cases, their financial and administrative rights were restored as the allegations made were not substantiated. In 1 case, the financial and administrative rights of the Gram Pradhan were restored in accordance with the order of the Hon'ble High Court Bench Lucknow. Final investigation proceedings are being conducted against 7 Gram Pradhans. In 9 cases, cases are still pending due to non-receipt of replies.

In the above cases, a total of 9 Gram Panchayat Secretaries were found guilty, out of which suspension proceedings have been initiated against 4 and disciplinary action is being taken against the remaining.

****