(a) whether elections of local bodies in Andhra Pradesh were held last year;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether release of statutory grants to the tune of Rs. 2,600 crores to Panchayati Raj Institutions were held up due to non-conducting of elect ions of local bodies in Andhra Pradesh; and
(d) if so, the quantum of amount released to Andhra Pradesh for devolution of the same to PRIs?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI NIHAL CHAND)
(a) & (b) : As per information available, elections to the Gram Panchayats and Mandal & Zila Parishads in Andhra Pradesh were held in July,2013 and April,2014 respectively.
(c) & (d): Based on the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission award, the Government had released initially only Rs.1283.38 crores against the allocation of Rs.3884.02 crore towards grants of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Andhra Pradesh due to non-holding of elections to Panchayats in the State, thus leaving a balance of Rs.2600.64 crores till the constitution of Panchayats. These grants were released after the duly constituted Panchayats on the basis of elections were in place in the State of Andhra Pradesh in August, 2013.