Question : FUNCTIONING OF PRIS

(a) whether any criteria has been set to analyse the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Union Government has received many proposals regarding release of funds under the Panchayati Raj system from various States/UTs including Rajasthan during the last three years and the current year and if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Union Government thereon, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Union Government proposes to increase the funds given for empowering the Panchayati Raj Institutions and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the amount of funds provided, released for empowering the PRIs during the said period, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the major obstacles in effective functioning of PRIs and the steps taken/being taken by the Union Government for resolving these issues?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI NIHAL CHAND)

(a) Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), in consultation with the State Governments, has framed parameters to evaluate the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). As the assessment of PRIs has to be State specific, a set of model indicators, questionnaire and marking scheme, to be adopted appropriately by the States/UTs in their context for assessing PRIs have been developed by MoPR. These criteria for evaluation of Panchayats broadly relate to infrastructure available to Panchayats, basic functions, process of decision making in Panchayats, capacity building, management of personnel, resources available and revenue generation, centrality of Panchayats in planning, implementation and monitoring of developmental and social welfare schemes, interface with gram sabha, accounts and social audit. The Ministry has got conducted several studies including devolution of functions, funds and functionaries by the States to PRIs in the form of State of Panchayat Reports. These study reports have been shared with the States/UTs.