(a) whether the Government propose to give full-fledged power to the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the Union Territory, where, there is no legislative Assembly;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the action being taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI I.D. SWAMI)
(a) & (b): The powers and functions of the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the Union Territories without Legislature are regulated in terms of the provisions contained in the relevant statutes prescribed for each Union territory.
(c): The Dadra and Nagar Haveli Administration have transferred 17 schemes relating to Community Development Agriculture, Education, Power Department and Public Works Department alongwith necessary funds and functionaries to the District panchayat Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Similarly, in the Union Territory of Daman and Diu, 20 schemes relating to Agriculture, Medical and Health Services, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Tourism, Education, Public Works etc. have been transferred to the District Panchayat. In the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, schemes relating to Planning and Development, Registration of Birth and Death; Social Welfare, Agriculture and Land improvement; Animal Husbnandry & Dairying; Fisheries; Rural Housing; and Drinking Water etc. have been transferred to the Panchayati Raj Institutions. A&N Island Administration have also transferred various schemes relating to Agriculture; Fisheries; Rural Road; Rural Water Supply; and Poverty Alleviation to the Panchayati Raj Institutions. As regards Chandigarh, a series of meetings have been held with representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions to determine the extent of the powers to be delegated to the Institutions at each level.