(a) whether Union Government has signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with various
States to launch an effective capacity building programme for Panchayati Raj Institutions;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the amount of grant proposed to be given to Panchayati Raj Institutions for this purpose?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)
(a) & (b) : Joint Statements of Conclusion (variously titled, sometimes of MoUs) have been
arrived at between the Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs & Sports and Chief
Ministers (or other authorities, in the case of Union Territories) and the conclusion of his
Panchayati Raj tours of 22 States / UT’s.
These Statements of Conclusions provide inter alia for training and capacity building
of elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and to entrust the Panchayats with
duties and responsibilities with a view to enable them to function as institutions of self-
government.
(c): Financial assistance is being provided to State Governments for training and capacity
building to develop the competency of elected representatives of PRIs, construction of training
centres, maintenance / upgradation of Panchayat Ghars and procurement of hardware for the
computerization of Panchayats.
An outlay of Rs 43.00 crore has been proposed during the current financial year 2007-08
under the Training & Capacity Building and Infrastructure Development Components of Rashtriya
Gram Swaraj Yojana.
A Capacity Building Fund of Rs 250.00 crore per annum has been earmarked under
Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) to build capacity in planning, implementation, monitoring,
accounting and improving accountability and transparency of Panchayats in the BRGF Districts.