CONSTITUTION AMENDMENT BILL FOR USHERING
IN SECOND GENERATION REFORMS FOR FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
EMPOWERMENT OF PRIs – KASHIRAM RANA
Ministry of Rural
Development is processing the case for bringing about for the
constitution amendments for speedy and effective devolution of
financial and administrative powers of Panchayati Raj Institutions(PRIs).
An amendment bill to the constitution in this regard will be introduced
shortly in Parliament. This was informed by Shri Kashiram Rana,
Union Minister for Rural Development in a Consultative Committee
meeting attached to his ministry here today.
Shri Rana further
informed that the 73rd Amendment Act made constitution
of PRIs and regular elections to them every five year mandatory
for the States. But as regards the devolution of powers to PRIs
and other functional aspects, the decision making was left to
the State Legislatures. Today we have approximately 2,50,000 Panchayats
and about three million people have been elected of which one-third
are women. This is the largest single representative base and
the world’s largest experiment in local democracy. Shri Rana expressed
concern that administrative and fiscal decentralization however,
has fallen far short of what was desirable.
Shri Rana observed
that people living in far corners of rural India have become quite
aware of the issues of governance and development. As the markets
become more and more competitive, infrastructure requirements
are increased, people demand viable and speedy solutions to their
day to day problems. The only way to meet this challenge and to
fulfill the aspirations of the people is to engage them in the
development process and social audit through Gram Sabhas.
Listing out various
steps taken by the Ministry for empowering of Panchayati Raj Institutions
(PRIs), Shri Rana highlighted that Rural Development Ministry
has already transferred decision making and implementation and
financial powers to PRIs in respect of its programmes. The Sampoorna
Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY) is implemented through Panchayts.
Through recent Guidelines of Hariyali, implementation of Watershed
Development Programmes namely IWDP, DPAP and DDP has been transferred
to PRIs. Panchayats have also been assigned the implementation
of Swajaldhara. Selection of beneficiaries in all the programmes
is to be done by Panchayats.
Members lauded the
efforts made by the Ministry for instituting the awards for the
Best Panchayats. They were in a view that it would encourage Panchayats
to excel in performance of their role. Members raised the issue
of holding regular meeting for Vigilance and Monitoring committees.
They also suggested for training of elected representatives and
for constitution of District Planning Committees.
Shri Rana replied
that for the training of elected representatives and functionaries
of Panchayats, support is provided by National Institutes of Rural
Development (NIRD) in terms of training of trainers, development
of materials and other guidance. Action Plan from 22 State Governments
for providing training to elected and official functionaries of
PRIs has been approved by the Ministry and the State Governments
are encouraged to use all available infrastructure and networking
with NGOs and other institutions for the training. Shri Rana said
that regarding constitution of DPCs, he will take up this issue
with the State Governments.
Members who attended
meeting are Shri B.C. Yadav, Shri A.F. Golam Osmani, Shri Chintaman
Wanga. Shri Y.V. Rao, Shri Saif-ud-din-Soz, Shri P.S. Gandhvi,
Shri M. Vasva, Shri M.K. Patel, Shri R.S. Shakya, Shri B.K. Katara,
Shri B.P. Solanki, Shri P.D. Elangovan, Shri Dalit Ezhilmalai
and Shri M.D. Mistry.
