The Minister of Panchayati Raj Shri V. Kishore Chandra Deo has said that the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has urged States and union Territories to devolve powers to the Panchayats in accordance with the Constitutional stipulation. The Ministry has provided assistance to States for capacity building of Panchayats through the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Yojna (RGSY), Capacity Building grant of the Backward Regions Grant Fund (BRGF) and Panchayat Mahila Evam Yuva Shakti Abhiyan (PMEYSA) and promoted e-enablement of Panchayats through the e-Panchayat scheme. An untied grant is provided to Panchayats through States for bridging critical gaps in local infrastructure in 250 backward districts on the basis of decentralized planning under BRGF.
Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha today, he said through the Panchayat Empowerment and Accountability Incentive Scheme (PEAIS), the Ministry has incentivized States for devolving 3Fs to Panchayats, and has incentivized Panchayats for performance. He informed that the Minister, Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation has suggested to the Planning Commission that 1% of the outlay for rural development should be earmarked for strengthening Panchayats. Discussion with the Planning Commission is in progress.
Replying to a question in Rajya Sabha today, he said through the Panchayat Empowerment and Accountability Incentive Scheme (PEAIS), the Ministry has incentivized States for devolving 3Fs to Panchayats, and has incentivized Panchayats for performance. He informed that the Minister, Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation has suggested to the Planning Commission that 1% of the outlay for rural development should be earmarked for strengthening Panchayats. Discussion with the Planning Commission is in progress.
