Lok Sabha Question No. 515 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-06
Subject: Participation of Women in Panchayats
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Parbatbhai Savabhai Patel, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil, Krishna Pal Singh Yadav, Ranjeeta Koli, Sumedhanand Saraswati, Manoj Rajoria

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATIRAJ

## LOKSABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 515

ANSWERED ON- 06.02.2024

## PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN PANCHAYATS

515. PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:
2. SHRIPARBATBHAISAVABHAI PATEL:
3. DR. SHRIKANTEKNATH SHINDE:
4. DR. HEENAVIJAYKUMAR GAVIT:
5. DR. SUJAYRADHAKRISHNAVIKHE PATIL:
6. SHRIUNMESHBHAIYYASAHEB PATIL:
7. DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:
8. SHRIMATIRANJEETA KOLI:
9. SHRISUMEDHANAND SARASWATI:
10. DR. MANOJ RAJORIA:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATIRAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) the significant policies and accomplishments of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj;
- (b) the measures that the Government has implemented or is currently implementing to empower Panchayats;
- (c) the strategies that the Government has implemented to increase the participation of women and marginalized groups in Panchayats;
- (d) the manner in which Government is working towards the development of an e-Governance system to facilitate citizens and instill transparency in Panchayat governance; and
- (e) the specific schemes that are in place for this purpose?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATIRAJ (SHRI KAPILMORESHWAR PATIL)

(a) & (b) Panchayats are primarily the responsibility of State Governments because 'Local Government' is a State subject. Panchayats are setup and operate through the respective State PanchayatiRaj Acts. However, in order to make PanchayatiRaj Institutions (PRIs) an effective, efficient and transparent vehicle for local governance, social change and public service delivery meeting the aspirations of local population, major initiatives/schemes/policy of the Ministry of PanchayatiRaj (MoPR), in line with its mandate, are furnished in Annexure alongwith the accomplishments.

(c) Article 243D of the Constitution provides for reservation of seats in Panchayats for Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, Backward Class of citizens and women. 21 States and 2 Union Territories have made provisions, in their respective State PanchayatiRaj Acts/Rules, for 50% reservation for women in Panchyats.

For tribal citizens residing in Scheduled Areas as referred to in clause (1) of article 244 of the Constitution, the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 has been enacted to provide for the extension of the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution. This Act confers special powers on Gram Sabha with respect to preservation of culture and livelihood of tribal people.

Ministry has been engaging with the Elected Women Representatives (EWRs) through a series of workshops, conferences, committees and expert groups on the issues of women empowerment and women leadership. Based on the experiences of best practices gained from the interaction during these workshops and interaction as well as recommendations given by various committees and expert groups the Ministry has been issuing advisories to States from time to time. Ministry has also issued advisories to States to facilitate holding of separate Ward Sabha and MahilaSabha meetings prior to Gram Sabha meetings. Advisories have also been issued to States for enhancing the presence and participation of women in Gram Sabha and Panchayat meetings.

In addition, this Ministry focuses on developing the capacity of EWRsof Panchayats to enable them to function effectively in Gram Panchayats and properly discharge their leadership roles. The Ministry has also been encouraging increased involvement of women in the functioning of Panchayatsthrough active participation in the Gram Sabha meetings for preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans and various schemes being

implemented by the Panchayats.

(d) & (e) Ministry of PanchayatiRaj is implementing Mission Mode Project on e -Panchayats (MMP-ePanchayat), a Central component of RGSA scheme under which various e-governance projects are funded towards digitalization of Panchayats to bring in efficiency, accountability and transparency in the functioning of the PRIs and for its overall transformation.

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. Further, for ensuring timely audit of Panchayat accounts i.e. receipts and expenditures of Gram Panchayats, this Ministry has rolled out an online application -AuditOnline (https://auditonline.gov.in). This application not only facilitates the auditing of Panchayat accounts but also provides for maintaining of audit records. This application streamlines the process for audit inquiries, draft local audit reports, draft audit paras etc. and thus ensures proper maintenance of accounts by Panchayats to improve transparency and accountability. 2.42 lakh audit reports have been generated for the audit period 2021-22.

Ministry has integrated eGramSwaraj with Public Financial Management System (PFMS). eGramSwaraj-PFMS Interface (eGSPI) enables Gram Panchayats make real time payments to vendors/service providers. As one date,transactions to the tune of Rs. 1.74 lakh crore have been made through eGSPI. e-GramSwaraj has also being integrated with Government-e-Market place (GeM) to enable seamless procurement and accounting experience to the Panchayats.

Annexure Major initiatives/schemes/policy of the Ministry of PanchayatiRaj

| Major initiatives/Schemes/Policy                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     | Accomplishment                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Accomplishment                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Accomplishment                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1.Fifteenth Finance Commission Grantsto enable Panchayats provide basic services to the rural population                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | Out of Rs 2,36,805.00 crore recommended for the award period 2021-2026, Rs. 108,636.15 crore released to Panchayatsduring the                                                                                       | Out of Rs 2,36,805.00 crore recommended for the award period 2021-2026, Rs. 108,636.15 crore released to Panchayatsduring the                                                                                       | Out of Rs 2,36,805.00 crore recommended for the award period 2021-2026, Rs. 108,636.15 crore released to Panchayatsduring the                                                                                       |
| 2. Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram SwarajAbhiyan (RGSA) to facilitate capacity building of functionaries of PanchayatiRaj Institutions                                                                                                                                                                                                  | period 2021-2024 2.11 crore participants including elected representatives, panchayat functionaries and other stakeholders of Panchayats have been provided training since the inception of this scheme in 2018-19. | period 2021-2024 2.11 crore participants including elected representatives, panchayat functionaries and other stakeholders of Panchayats have been provided training since the inception of this scheme in 2018-19. | period 2021-2024 2.11 crore participants including elected representatives, panchayat functionaries and other stakeholders of Panchayats have been provided training since the inception of this scheme in 2018-19. |
| 3. The Central Sector Scheme of Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) to provide the 'Record of Rights' to village households owning houses in villages also to facilitate asset monetizationin rural areas besides enabling Panchayatsin assessing and collecting property tax in their endeavor to | As on 31 st January, 2024, about 1.75 croreproperty cards have been prepared in respect of 1.09 lakh villages.                                                                                                      | As on 31 st January, 2024, about 1.75 croreproperty cards have been prepared in respect of 1.09 lakh villages.                                                                                                      | As on 31 st January, 2024, about 1.75 croreproperty cards have been prepared in respect of 1.09 lakh villages.                                                                                                      |
| 4. Scheme of Incentivization of Panchayats, a central components of RGSAscheme, to encourage competitive spirit among PRIs under which, awards including financial incentives are given to best performing Panchayats in recognition of their good work for improving delivery of services and public good.                                          | Financial Year                                                                                                                                                                                                      | No. of Awards given                                                                                                                                                                                                 | Award Money released (Amount in Rs. crore)                                                                                                                                                                          |
| 4. Scheme of Incentivization of Panchayats, a central components of RGSAscheme, to encourage competitive spirit among PRIs under which, awards including financial incentives are given to best performing Panchayats in recognition of their good work for improving delivery of services and public good.                                          | 2021-22                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 314                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 52.49                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| 4. Scheme of Incentivization of Panchayats, a central components of RGSAscheme, to encourage competitive spirit among PRIs under which, awards including financial incentives are given to best performing Panchayats in recognition of their good work for improving delivery of services and public good.                                          | 2022-23                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 322                                                                                                                                                                                                                 | 50.19                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| 4. Scheme of Incentivization of Panchayats, a central components of RGSAscheme, to encourage competitive spirit among PRIs under which, awards including financial incentives are given to best performing Panchayats in recognition of their good work for improving delivery of services and public good.                                          | 2023-24                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 42                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 43.75                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| 5.Thematic Gram Panchayat                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | During 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23                                                                                                                                                                                 | During 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23                                                                                                                                                                                 | During 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23                                                                                                                                                                                 |

| Development Plan (GPDP) to enable panchayats to prepare their constitutionally mandated developmental plans.                                            | around 2.52 lakh, 2.58 lakh and 2.57 lakhGram Panchayats or equivalent bodies respectively have prepared their GPDP.                                                                                                           |
|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 6.Citizen Charter campaign to make the Panchayats and their elected representatives directly accountable to the people                                  | As on date, about 2.15 lakh Gram Panchayats have finalised their Citizen Charters, offering 954 Services spanning various sectors namely health & family welfare, drinking water & sanitation, public welfare, employment etc. |
| 7. Common Service Centers (CSCs) as single access points for delivery of all digital services in Gram Panchayats and to promote rural entrepreneurship. | As on date, 47,469 CSCs have been co -located with Panchayat Bhawans.                                                                                                                                                          |

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