Question : Functioning of PRIs

(a) whether the Government has recently fixed certain norms to examine the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the number of proposals received by the Union Government from the State Governments for issuance of funds under the Panchayati Raj schemes during the last three years and the current year and the action taken by the Union Government thereon, State-wise;
(d) whether the Government proposes to provide additional funds to PRIs in order to improve their functioning;
(e) if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the other steps taken/being taken by the State Governments to improve the functioning of PRIs?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRI NIHAL CHAND)

(a)& (b): The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), in collaboration with State Governments, has framed parameters to analyse the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). A set of model indicators, questionnaire and marking scheme, to be adapted appropriately by the States/UTs in their context for assessing the functioning of PRIs, have been developed by MoPR. MoPR also assesses the extent of devolution of powers and authority to PRIs by States through an independent study, which ranks States on a Panchayat Devolution Index (PDI). The study for 2014-15 was conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). States were ranked on the PDI in this study.
(c), (d) & (e): State-wise Backward Region Grants Fund (BRGF) grants and Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) grants released to States during 2012-13 to 2014-15 are respectively at Annex I and II. BRGF Programme has been de-linked from the Central Government support with effect from 2015-16. Also State Component of RGPSA stands transferred to States from 2015-16.
(f): The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has supported States to take measures to promote transparency and accountability in Panchayats by institutionalizing accountability processes such as voluntary disclosure of information & social audit and strengthening the system of budgeting, accounts and audit, including use of e-enabled processes. Through the software ‘PRIAsoft’ of MoPR, Panchayats have been enabled to put accounts on-line.
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