Question : IMPLEMENTATION OF CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES

(a)whether some Centrally Sponsored Schemes are planned and implemented through Panchayats;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any advisory has been given to Ministries regarding the role and responsibility of Panchayats;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether suggestions have been received from various groups to provide financial assistance for the development of villages directly to Panchayats so as to reduce the time gap between availability of funds and their distribution; and

(f) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto and the action taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI NIHAL CHAND)

(a) & (b): As per guidelines of Schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Saakshar Bharat Mission, Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF), etc., Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) play a significant role in imple- mentation and monitoring.

(c) & (d): Several advisories have been given to the line Ministries/ Departments implementing CSSs, for providing appropriate roles and responsibilities to PRIs in the planning, implementation and monitoring of the CSSs.

(e) & (f): Funds for CSSs are provided to State Governments as per the approved scheme guidelines. In Schemes such as BRGF, States are mandated to transfer funds to Panchayats within 15 days on receipt of funds from the Central Government. While several suggestions regarding transfer of funds are received from time to time, there is no proposal to undertake direct transfer of funds, as issues of accountability are involved.