(a) whether the Union Government is awarding the States for their performance on devolution of Index under Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashakti- karan Abhiyan (RGPSA);
(b) if so, the details of the States which received these awards and the funds given to these awardee States under RGPSA; and
(c) the eligibility criteria for getting this award?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI NIHAL CHAND)
(a) Yes, Madam.
(b) The States ranking high on Panchayat Devolution Index (PDI) assessed by a national level independent institution, were awarded and funds given to the awardee States under RGPSA during 2013-14 are as below:
Incremental PDI Awards
Cumulative PDI Awards
State Rank Amount (Rs. in crores) First Prize Maharashtra 1 3.00 Second Prize Kerala 2 2.50 Third Prize Karnataka 3 2.00 First prize for Tripura 1 in NE 1.50 North Eastern States States and overall 12
Total 9.00
(c) Performance of States is measured through a Panchayat Devolution Index (PDI). The evaluation of States is based on a two-stage assessment. The first stage, called the Framework criteria, is based on the following fundamental Constitutional requirements:
State Rank Amount (Rs. in crores) First Prize Maharashtra 1 As the State was eligible for prize under cumulative PDI, no cash award was recommended.
Second Prize Kerala 2 As the State was eligible for prize under cumulative PDI, no cash award was recommended. Third Prize Chhattisgarh 3 3.00 Fourth Prize Andhra Pradesh 4 2.00 Fifth Prize Arunachal Pradesh 5 1.00
Total 6.00
States that fulfil each of these fundamental requirements, qualify for evaluation in terms of various indicators of the PDI. The indicators for the PDI aim at assessing the state of devolution in respect of the 3Fs, namely, funds, functions, and functionaries by the respective States to the PRIs. Firstly, the States are assessed on how well they implemented the framework criteria. Secondly, weighted scores that reflect the importance of particular criteria are used. Thirdly, scoring is made more differentiated by grading various responses. Finally, the accountability parameters have been built in systematically. States are accordingly assessed for their performance on devolution, both cumulative and incremental. The States are ranked according to their scores on the devolution index. The top three States overall, and State with highest score among NE States, are awarded. If award has been received for cumulative performance, cash award is not given in case the State becomes eligible for incremental PDI award too. Download PDF Files
(i) Establishment of State Election Commissions (ii) Holding of elections to the PRIs (iii) Setting up State Finance Commissions (iv) Constitution of the District Planning Committees (DPCs) (v) Reservation of seats for SCs/STs and Women (effective from 2013-14)