(a) whether the Government has completely stopped the development works such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, Indira Awaas Yojana and Drinking Water Programme under Panchayati Raj System;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps being taken by the Government to strengthen the Panchayati Raj System?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ
(SHRI NIHAL CHAND)
(a) No, Madam
(b) Does not arise.
(c) The schemes implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, i.e. the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) and Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA), transferred to States from 2015-16, supported States/UTs in developing and empowering their Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Under RGPSA, financial assistance was provided to States for engaging administrative & technical staff, construction of Gram Panchayat Bhawans, training and creation of training infrastructure for Elected Representatives and functionaries of Panchayats etc. Under BRGF, funds were provided to 272 backward districts in the country for addressing the regional developmental imbalances and filling up the resource gaps in developmental schemes. The Ministry also supports States to devolve powers to Panchayats through incentivization and regular reviews. Fourteenth Finance Commission (FFC) has also recommended an allocation of Rs.2,00,292.20 crores as Grants to duly constituted Gram Panchayats during the award period 2015-20, which constitutes an assistance of Rs.488 per capita per annum at an aggregate level.
*****