Question : CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES

(a) whether certain Centrally Sponsored Schemes are planned and implemented by the Panchayats in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any advisories have been issued to the Ministries on the role and responsibilities by the Panchayats;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) Whether suggestions have been received from various quarters for providing financial assistance directly to the Panchayats for the development of villages so as to reduce the time lag between availability and dispersal of funds to them; and

(f) If so, the reaction of the Government thereto and the action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs), like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme (MGNREGS), Saakshar Bharat Mission, Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) etc., are providing significant roles and responsibilities to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in implementation and monitoring.

(c)&(d): Yes, Madam. All the line Ministries which are implementing Centrally Sponsored /Central Sector Schemes, meant for socio-economic development in rural areas, have been advised to revise the guidelines of their schemes along with Activity Mapping for assignment of clear role and responsibilities to PRIs in the implementation. The Cabinet Secretary had also advised to all the Secretaries in the Ministries/Departments on 6th August, 2013 for taking time-bound action for the aforesaid purpose. Furthermore, the Committee of Secretaries (CoS) met on 20.9.2013, 6.11.2013, 6.1.2014 and 19.2.2014 and reviewed progress made on the matter by 8 Ministries/ Departments (viz., Ministry of Rural Development, D/o Agriculture and Cooperation, M/o Water Resources, M/o Rural Drinking Water and Sanitation, D/o School Education and Literacy, M/o Health and Family Welfare, M/o Women and Child Development and M/o Tribal Affairs). These Ministries/Departments have, by and large, revised guidelines of their Schemes and prepared Activity Mapping to be attached with schemes and circulated the same to State Governments/UTs for necessary compliance.

(e)&(f): The CSSs are, by and large, implemented through the State Governments/UT and grants in aid under these Schemes are to be released through the State Governments/UTs. The schemes like Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) mandate the State Governments to release funds to the PRIs within 15 days on the receipt of funds from the Central Government.