(a) whether there is any provision for appointment of Panchayat Assistant-cum- Data Entry Operator under the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the number of such appointments made during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Government proposes to adjust/merge these posts in any other departments; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRI NIHAL CHAND)
(a) & (b) The appointment of Panchayat Assistant-cum- Data Entry Operators under the Panchayati Raj Institutions is the responsibility of State Governments. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj under the scheme of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA), operationalised since 2012-13, has provided financial support to the States for strengthening Panchayats as per context specific plans prepared by them including administrative and technical support at Gram Panchayat (GP) level. The details of the Accountants/ Data Entry Operator and other functionaries, state wise for which funds have been sanctioned under RGPSA during 2013-14 and 2014-15 is given in Annex. No funds were sanctioned for Administrative and Technical support during 2012-13. During 2015-16, as RGPSA was transferred to States and funds substantially reduced, no funds for Administrative and Technical support have been provided.
(c) & (d) As Panchayats is a State subject, any decision regarding adjusting merging these posts has to be taken by the State Government concerned. However funds for Administrative and Technical support can be accessed by Gram Panchayats under the 14th Finance Commission Grant.