Lok Sabha Question No. 4980 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-01
Subject: Performance of PRIs
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Dharmendra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †4980

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01/04/2025

## PERFORMANCEOFPRIS

## †4980. SHRI DHARMENDRAYADAV:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

(a) the details of mechanism for monitoring and assessment of performance of Panchayati Raj Institutes (PRIs) in the country;

(b) the details of yardstick used to measuring the success of Panchayati Raj system;

(c) the frequency of audits being done on local government alongwith the audit results thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the government to ensure utilization of public money and compliance of rules and regulations by local Government as applicable to them?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ

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

(a) & (b) The Ministry has initiated the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) through Panchayati Raj Institutions by consolidating the 17 SDGs into 9 themes. This initiative aims to achieve the Sustainable Development Agenda by 2030 at the grassroots level. The thematic approach simplifies the alignment of global goals with local governance structures, making them more relevant and actionable for implementation at the community level.

The Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) assesses and measures the progress made by grassroots-level institutions in achieving localized SDGs and, consequently, attaining SDG 2030. This index is based on various local development indicators across the 9 themes of LSDGs. One of the purposes of the PAI is to identify the development gaps of the Panchayats through the scores achieved across various LSDG themes and enable the Panchayat for evidence based planning at grassroots level.

The thematic scores across the nine themes of Localized Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs), along with the composite Panchayat Advancement Index score of the Gram Panchayats, are crucial in assessing their progress towards achieving localized SDGs and, ultimately, SDGs. The outcomes of the PAI, over time, will reflect incremental progress based on the scores achieved by Panchayats, highlighting their advancement toward realizing the LSDGs. The baseline data from Panchayat Advancement Index will play a vital role in

setting local targets, identifying actionable points, and facilitating the preparation of evidence -based Panchayat Development Plans aimed at achieving the desired goals for enhanced performance.

(c) & (d) As per the operational guidelines of the XV Finance Commission, one of the mandatory criteria is to ensure availability of audited accounts of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for two years previous to the current year so that subsequent grants can be allocated to the PRIs. The Ministry has developed an application 'AuditOnline' for the audits of Panchayat accounts and their financial management.

As on date, for the audit period 2022-23, around 2,58,120 PRIs (598 District Panchayats, 6159 Block Panchayats and 2,51,363 Gram Panchayats) audit plans have been prepared, 2,57,237 Audit reports have been generated and 27,08,747 audit observations have been recorded. Similarly for the audit period 2023-24, around 2,46,530 PRIs (516 District Panchayats, 5319 Block Panchayats, 2,40,695 Gram Panchayats) audit plans have been prepared, 2,19,411 Audit reports have been generated and 25,18,720 audit observations have been recorded.

Panchayats subject come under the purview of State Government. To facilitate States and Panchayati Raj Institutions effectively monitor and evaluate the use of Panchayat funds, including Central Finance Commission grants, the Ministry had launched the eGramSwaraj application, which facilitate monitoring of various aspects of Panchayat functioning, such as planning, budgeting, accounting and audit. Ministry has also integrated eGramSwaraj with Public Financial Management System (PFMS)for Gram Panchayats (GPs) to make real-time payments to vendors/service providers.

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