Question : Construction of Panchayat Bhawans

(a) the details of funds provided to the States/ UTs for construction and repair of Panchayat Ghars/Bhawans under the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Sashaktikaran Abhiyan in the country during each of the last three years and the current year, State/ UT-wise;
(b) whether some of the States have reported under-utilisation of the said funds in the country;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor, State/ UT-wise;
(d) whether cases of irregularities in implementation of the said scheme have come to the notice of the Government during the said period and if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise and the reasons therefor along with the action taken/ being taken by the Government in such cases; and
(e) the other steps taken/ being taken by the Government for optimum utilisation of funds under the said scheme across the country?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRI PARSHOTTAM RUPALA)

(a) to (d) The scheme of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) was implemented from 2012-13 upto 2015-16 and no funds were released during 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19. During the year 2015-16, for construction and repair of Panchayat Bhawans, Rs. 29.29 lakh was provided to the UT of Chandigarh only. MOPR has not received any reports of irregularity in implementation of the said scheme.

(e) The Ministry took various steps which included rigorous appraisal of Annual Work Plans with States/UTs; ensuring submission of requisite documents like utilization certificate and progress report by States; review meetings with senior Officers of States, video conferences with the State/ District level officials and visits by the officials of the Ministry to the States/ UTs to ensure optimum utilization of funds released to States under the scheme of RGPSA.
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