(a) whether Panchayati Raj Institutions have been marginalised in some States;
(b) if so, whether some States have set up parallel Village Development Committees;
(c) whether reservation of weaker sections in Panchayati Raj Institutions have been overlooked;
(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(e) the steps taken by the Government to ensure proper implementation of Panchayati Raj enactment?
MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M. VENKAIAH NAIDU)
(a)&(b): No, Sir. However, the Government of Madhya Pradesh have set up Gram Vikas Samitis whereas the Government of Haryana have set up Village Development Committees which seem to be parallel bodies to the Gram Panchayats. The Central Government is in correspondence with the States of Madhya Pradesh and Haryana to sort out this issue.
(c)&(d): The provisions of reservation of weaker sections in Panchayati Raj Institutions have not been overlooked. However, in pursuance of Orders of the Hon`ble Supreme Court, pending finalisation of SLPs, Panchayat Elections were held in Bihar without providing reservation for SCs/STs/Women to the offices of Chairpersons at all levels of Panchayats.
(e): The Central Government has been requesting the State Governments / Union Territory Administrations to ensure proper implementation of provisions of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 through high-level review meetings, correspondence with the Chief Ministers/Administrators, State Ministers and State Secretaries incharge of Panchayati Raj. A Conference of the Minister of States incharge of Panchayati Raj held on 11th July, 2001 at New Delhi also recommended for proper implementation of the various provisions as contained in the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992.