(a) whether the Government proposes to encourage youth participation in the effective implementation of panchayati raj system in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the existing system of panchayati raj has achieved the desired results as envisaged in the Constitution 73rd (Amendment) Act;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this direction?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI NIHAL CHAND)
(a) & (b). The Union Government encourages participation of all sections of society including women and youth in all processes of Panchayats’ functioning. Under the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA), a flagship programme of the Government, the Union Government provides funds to States for streng- thening of Panchayats and to make their functioning more democratic and participatory involving all sections of society. Further, the Union Government in the Department of Youth Affairs has also launched the National Youth Policy 2014 which emphasises on the involvement of youth in the various activities undertaken by the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
(c) & (d): Mandatory provisions of Part IX of the Constitution regarding constitution of Panchayats, setting up of State Election Commission and election to Panchayats, setting up of State Finance Commission and reservations of seats for women, Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribes have been fulfilled by all States and Union Territories covered under the Part IX. Broadly PRIs are operating in the country as stipulated in the Constitution. Under Article 243G of the Constitution, the Legislature of the State may by law, devolve power and responsibilities upon Panchayats to enable them to function as institutions of self-government. States vary significantly in the extent to which they have devolved powers to the Panchayats to plan, implement and monitor schemes for economic development and social justice.
(e): The implementation of the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution introduced by the 73rd Constitution Amendments is reviewed by the Government from time to time through studies and discussions with States. States are encouraged to devolve powers (functions, functionaries and finances) to PRIs for sus- tainable decentralization and inclusive deve- lopment. The annual Devolution Index Report and the State of Panchayati Raj Reports com- missioned by MoPR assess the policy and legislative framework of the State in respect of Panchayati Raj.