(a) whether several Centrally Sponsored Schemes are being implemented in the various States
by involving the Panchayats;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) whether specific guidelines have been issued regarding the role of PRIs in the implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ(SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)
(a) and (b): The National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme
that is governed by a Central law, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, which statutorily
provides:
(i) That the Panchayats at the District, Intermediate and Village levels are the principal
authorities for planning and implementation of Schemes made under the Act,
(ii) Specific roles for each level of Panchayat in planning and implementation,
(iii) That the Programme Officer shall allot at least fifty percent of the works in terms of
its cost under a Scheme to be implemented through the Gram Panchayats.
Other Centrally Sponsored Schemes that pertain to the functional domain of the Panchayats
provide for varying roles for the three levels of the Panchayats but leave it to States to
determine the specific roles and responsibilities of Panchayats. The Ministry of Panchayati
Raj is collecting specific details as to the precise implementation mechanism adopted in States
in respect of those programmes that comprise the bulk of the funding under Centrally Sponsored
Schemes so as to better understand the role that Panchayats perform.
(c) and (d): The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has taken several steps in persuading the Central
Ministries concerned to ensure the centrality of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the planning and
implementation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs). The most recent of these initiatives has
been the setting up of a Committee by the Cabinet Secretariat on 8 August 2007, on the suggestion
of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, to review the need for modifications, if any, in the current
guidelines for each major Centrally Sponsored Scheme so as to ensure the centrality of Panchayati
Raj Institutions in their planning and implementation. The Committee held discussions with 13
Ministries and Departments and has submitted its report, which has arrived at major points of
agreement on the modifications required in respect of the Schemes of these ministries. The report
has been forwarded to the Central Ministries for necessary action and to the States for their
information.