(a) whether the Government is satisfied with the autonomy granted to the Panchayats;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to widen the role to Panchayats in the implementation
of various Centrally sponsored schemes;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government periodically reviews the working of Panchayati Raj Institutions; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI VILASRAO DESHMUKH)
(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) & (f) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.110
TO BE ANSWERED ON 3.3.2011, REGARDING STRENGTHENING OF PANCHAYATI INSTITUTIONS
(a) & (b): Within the Constitutional framework, the Panchayat is a State subject.
Furthermore, under Article 243G of the Constitution, State Legislatures are to endow
Panchayats with powers and authority to enable them to function as institutions of self
government and plan and implement schemes for socio-economic development and social justice
including on matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule. States vary in the extent to which
they have devolved powers to the Panchayats. Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) has constantly
urged the States/UTs to devolve funds, functions, and functionaries (3 Fs) to the Panchayati
Raj Institutions (PRIs) in accordance with the Constitutional stipulation. MoPR has issued
advisories to the States on Panchayat finance, manpower for the Panchayats, and effective
devolution of the 3 Fs through Activity Mapping vide letters dated 9.4.2009, 23.4.2009 and
1.12.2009 respectively. These are available at www.panchayat.gov.in.
(c) and (d): MoPR has issued detailed advisory dated 19.1.2009 (available at
(www.panchayat.gov.in) to Central Ministries on the role and responsibilities of the
Panchayats in implementing CSSs.
(e) and (f): Apart from periodically reviewing the working of the PRIs with the State
Government, MoPR prepares State of Panchayat Reports (SoPRs). The first SoPR was brought out
by the Ministry in 2006. Thereafter, two SoPRs were brought out in 2007-08 and 2008-09
respectively. MoPR also assesses performance of the States in devolution of 3Fs as per a
Devolution Index, prepared through an independent agency.