Lok Sabha Question No. 1373 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-30
Subject: Functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1373

ANSWERED ON 30.07.2024

## FUNCTIONING OFPANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS

## 1373: SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) the details of challenges being faced by the Panchayati Raj Ministry in achieving its objectives during the last three years;

(b) the steps taken by the Government to address the issues hindering the effective functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country;

(c) whether the Government has any proposal to enhance financial and administrative support to Panchayati Raj Institutions amidst the current challenges and if so, the details thereof and the time by which such proposal is likely to be enhanced;

(d) whether there has been an increase in citizen grievances related to Panchayati Raj services, if so, the details thereof along with the details of measures being implemented by the Government to address these concerns; and

(e) the detailed impact of recent policy changes on the empowerment and autonomy of Panchayati Raj bodies particularly in rural areas?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) & (b) Varied degree of devolution of power in terms of funds, functions and functionaries to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in various States, timely non-availability or non-release of State's share for implementation of the scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) for capacity building of the PRIs, lack of coordination between departmental functionaries and PRIs at Gram Panchayat level are some of the major constraints and shortcomings coming in the way of effective functioning of Panchayats. Senior officers of the Ministry undertake periodical review/ physical checks on the functioning of the PRIs from time to time. Moreover, various studies, particularly the status of devolution of power to the Panchayats are conducted by the Ministry to assess the status of devolution of power to the Panchayats by the States and the reports of which are shared with the States and other stakeholders to improve the functioning of the PRIs.

(c) Panchayati Raj being a State subject, it is the sole responsibility of the States to devolve finance, functions and functionalities to the Panchayats in such a manner that the Panchayats are empowered and capable of mobilising their resources including financial. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has been advocating and advising the States in this respect from time to time. It conducts survey/studies to compile devolution index and rank the States on that basis for corrective measures at their end to empower their Panchayats.

(d) Panchayati Raj being a State subject, the grievances on delivery of various services by the Panchayats in any State are redressed by the States concerned. The Ministry has been advising and promoting on-line delivery of services on transparency and efficiency as also on ease of living grounds.

(e) Enabling the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to prepare and execute need-based Panchayat Development Plans, particularly preparation of almost 100% Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) for development of the Gram Panchayats and thus the rural India to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through capacity building and training of the Elected Representatives of the PRIs and their functionaries (about 2.25 crore participants since 2018-19) ; providing various digital interventions like eGramSwaraj and AuditOnlne like applications, integration of eGramSwaraj with e-Payment module- Public Finance Management System (PFMS) and Government e Market Place (GeM) application for ensuring efficiency, accountability and transparency in the functioning of PRIs and public dealings; e-enablement of delivery of various public services; incentivising the best performing PRIs in delivery of public services through effective planning and execution are some of the major policy driven achievements of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj during the recent years. In addition, the Ministry, under its scheme SV AMITVA, has provided about 2.03 crore property cards as record of rights to the inhabitants in the rural areas of the country.

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