(a) whether the financial powers conferred to the Panchayat Raj Institution under the
Constitution 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 have not been enforced by the
State/Union Territories; and
(b) if so, the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure the implementation of Panchayat Raj system in country?
MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT(SHRI SHANTA KUMAR)
(a) States/Union Territories have devolved financial powers upon Panchayati Raj
Institutions in varying degrees.
(b) The Ministry of Rural Development have been requesting the States/UTs to devolve
more powers to Panchayats as envisaged under the 73rd Amendment Act through high level
meetings and through correspondence with the Chief Ministers, State Ministers/State
Secretaries in charge of Panchayati Raj. At a Conference of the Ministers in charge of
Panchayati Raj held in July, 2001 at New Delhi, it was resolved that the State Governments
and Union Territory Administrations would devolve powers upon Panchayats in respect of 29
subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule. The All India Panchayat Adhyakshas Sammelan held
in April, 2002 at New Delhi, attended by 1327 elected representatives inter alia resolved that
powers be devolved by 31/12/2002. Consequently, the State Governments have been
requested to take necessary steps for devolving powers to PRIs by the stipulated date.