Centrally Sponsored Schemes Routed through Panchayats

The role of Panchayats varies across different Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs), which are administered by different Union Ministries. Among the major CSSs, National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, Indira Awas Yojana, Total Sanitation Campaign, Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme, National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (Mid-Day Meals), National Horticulture Mission, Macro Management of Agriculture, Micro Irrigation etc. are the schemes, which provide for roles and responsibilities for Panchayats. Ministry of Panchayati Raj has issued detailed advisory in this regard to Central Ministries for delineating roles and responsibilities to Panchayati Raj Institutions in implementing CSSs.

The Backward Regions Grant Funds (BRGF) Programme is the main scheme administered by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, which is an Additional Central Assistance (ACA) Scheme and not a CSS. The Panchayats, the Municipalities and other local bodies are the planning and implementing entities of this programme.

The role of the State Government in operationalizing CSS is determined by the respective scheme guidelines and the extent to which States have devolved funds, functions and functionaries (3Fs) to Panchayats, as Panchayat is a State subject and as per Article 243G States are to endow power and authority to Panchayats to enable them to function as institutions of self-government and plan and implement schemes for socio-economic development and social justice, including matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule.

The above information was given by the Minister of Panchayati Raj Shri V. Kishore Chandra Deo in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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