(a) whether the Government propose to appoint MPs as Chairpersons or Co-Chairpersons of the District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs);
(b) if so, the time by which they are likely to be appointed;
(c) whether the DRDAs are likely to conflict with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) as funds are same for the both which is the parallel bodies; and
(d) whether the Government have released the dues to States in regard to PRIs?
MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU)
(a)&(b): The proposal is under active consideration.
(c) The District Rural Development Agency is visualized as a specialised and professional agency capable of managing the anti-poverty programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development on the one hand, and to effectively relate these to the overall effort of poverty eradication in the District, on the other hand. The DRDAs are expected to co-ordinate effectively with the Panchayati Raj Institutions.
(d) Yes, Sir. Funds have been released to eligible States in regard to Panchayati Raj Institutions.