Question : IMPLEMENTATION OF PANCHAYATI RAJ SYSTEM

(a) the names of the States where Panchayati Raj system has not been implemented;

(b) whether the funds allocated for Panchayati Raj Institutions to the States under various schemes have been utilized fully by them;

(c) if so, the details thereof during the last three years and current year, scheme wise, State-wise and year-wise alongwith the action taken by the Government to ensure fuller utilization of funds allocated under Panchayati Raj schemes;

(d) whether the Government is considering any enhancement in the allocation of funds to the States under these schemes; and

(e) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and scheme-wise during the Eleventh Five Year Plan?

MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ (Dr. C.P.JOSHI)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN PARTS (a), (b), (c) AND (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 257 DUE FOR REPLY ON 15.3.2010, REGARDING ‘IMPLEMENTATION OF PANCHAYATI RAJ SYSTEM’

(a): Panchayats are functioning in all States/ UTs to which provisions of Part-IX of the Constitution apply, except in Jharkhand and Jammu & Kashmir.

(b)&(c): Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) releases funds to the States for Panchayati Raj Institutions under the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF), Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojna (RGSY) & Panchayat Empowerment and Accountability Incentive Scheme (PEAIS). The State-wise position regarding release of funds and utilization/expenditure under the above schemes during the years 2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10 is given in Annex-I, II and III respectively. The Ministry regularly monitors and follows up through written communications and meetings to expedite utilization.

(d)&(e): As of now, there is no change in the Eleventh Five Year Plan allocation for MoPR. However, allocation for Additional Central Assistance to States operated by the Ministry under BRGF is proposed to be enhanced from Rs.4670 crore in 2009-10 to Rs.5050 crore in 2010-11. Year-wise allocation against the Eleventh Plan outlay is at Annex-IV.