Question : PANCHAYAT EMPOWERMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY INCENTIVE SCHEME

(a) the details and the status of the Panchayat Empowerment and Accountability Incentive Scheme (PEAIS) being implemented by the Government;

(b) the criteria for eligibility for the benefit under the Scheme;

(c) whether the Government has evaluated the performance of the States for the benefits under the Scheme for the year 2012-13 and if so, the details of the indicators evaluated for the purpose and the ranks obtained by them;

(d) whether the Government proposes to make social audit as an integral part of the PEAIS, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to refine and improve various processes for selection of Panchayats for incentivisation such as indicators, questionnaires, field visits etc.?

MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI V. KISHORE CHANDRA DEO)

(a): Panchayat Empowerment and Accountability Incentive Scheme (PEAIS) is a Central Sector Plan Scheme aimed at (i) incentivization of States for devolving funds, functions and functionaries (3Fs) to Panchayats and (ii) incentivization of Panchayats to put in place accountability systems to make their functioning transparent and efficient. The scheme is 100% centrally funded.

Under PEAIS, State Governments/UTs are ranked on a Devolution Index which measures the extent of devolution of 3Fs by States to Panchayats. States are ranked on the DI through a study conducted by an independent organization. Since 2011-12, best performing Panchayats in the country have also been incentivized.

(b): The assessment of States along the DI follows a two stage process. The States that fulfill mandatory provisions of the Constitution qualify for further assessment on the extent of devolution.

(c): A study has been commissioned to evaluate the performance of States in 2012-13. The indicators used in the study are at Annex. The ranking is under process.

(d): Indicators related to social audit have been included in the State level study as well as the model Panchayat level indicators.

(e): Every year model indicators and questionnaire have been refined by the Ministry. These have been circulated to all the States/UTs for adoption with suitable modifications. The Ministry held a workshop to consider improvement on indicators under PEAIS on 11th May, 2012. Two workshops were held to improve the State level field verification process on 18-19 and 30-31 October, 2012. On 4th – 5th January, 2013, a workshop was conducted to orient National level field verification teams.