PIB English Features-RGPSA

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13-September 2013 A- A+

FEATURE

Panchayati Raj

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English Features

Month September Year 2013

Their Cups of Joy are Full 12-

September,2013

Literacy can Eradicate Poverty, Curb

Population Growth, Achieve Gender

Equality and Ensure Sustainable

Development 09-September,2013

Water Conservation: A Need of the

Hour 06-September,2013

Siddha Sys tem of Medicine: Eco

Friendly and Patient Friendly 06-

September,2013

National Skill Development Scheme

06-September,2013

Post-Matric Scholarship Scheme for

Scheduled Castes Students -

Educating to Empower 05-

September,2013

YEGN Mainstreaming the Youth

04-September,2013

Voting Right: Power of the Powerless

03-September,2013

Special Service and Features

Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan

The key role of Panchayats in rural governance and socio-economic

development has been recognized since the 1950s. In the current context,

the need to strengthen Panchayats has intensified with the rise inexpenditure on programmes of social welfare and inclusion, as Panchayats

are vital to ensure that the benefits of these schemes reach the people,

management of local institutions is improved and accountability is enhanced.

There is need to provide Panchayats with adequate technical and

administrative support, strengthen their infrastructure and e-enablement,

promote devolution, improve their functioning i.e. regular democratic

meetings of the Panchayat, proper functioning of the standing committees,

voluntary disclosure and accountability of the Gram Sabha, proper

maintenance of accounts etc. It is against this background that the Centrally

Sponsored Scheme of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan

(RGPSA) has been launched to strengthen Panchayati Raj. This scheme

was approved on 07.03.2013

The goals of the RGPSA are to enhance capacities and effectiveness of

Panchayats and the Gram Sabhas; Enable democratic decision-making and

accountability in Panchayats and promote peoples participation;

Strengthen the institutional structure for knowledge creation and capacity

building ofPanchayats; Promote devolution of powers and responsibilities

to Panchayats according to the spirit of the Constitution and PESA Act;

Strengthen Gram Sabhas to function effectively as the basic forum of

peoples participation, transparency and accountability within the Panchayat

system; Create and strengthen democratic local self-government in areas

where Panchayats do not exist; and Strengthen the constitutionallymandated framework on which Panchayats are founded.

The scheme recognizes the fact that States have different needs and

priorities and therefore allows for State specific planning, whereby States

can choose from a menu of permissible activities. Moreover 20% scheme

funds are linked to States performance on devolution and accountability.

States prepare perspective and annual plans to access funds under the

scheme. A Central Steering Committee headed by the Union Minister,

Panchayati Raj provides policy level guidance, while a Central Executive

Committee headed by Union Secretary, Panchayati Raj oversees the

implementation of the scheme.

This scheme is applicable to all States/ UTs including those which

presently are not covered by Part IX of the Constitution.

States are required to fulfill some essential conditions for

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accessing any RGPSA funds which include - Regular elections to

Panchayats or local bodies in non-Part IX areas under the superintendence

and control of the State Election Commission (SEC); At least one third

reservation for women in Panchayats or other local bodies; Constitution of

SFC every five years, and placement of Action Taken Report on the

recommendations of the SFC in the State legislature; and Constitution of

District Planning Committees (DPCs) in all districts, and issuing of

guidelines/rules to make these functional.

States that do not fulfill the above essential conditions are not eligible forfunds under RGPSA.

Twenty percent scheme funds are linked to action taken by the

States for implementation of the provisions of the 73rd Amendment to the

Constitution of India in the following areas - Articulating an appropriate

policy framework for providing administrative and technical support to

Panchayats; Strengthening the financial base of Panchayats by assigning

appropriate taxes, fees, etc.; Provision of untied funds to Panchayats and

timely release of SFC and Central Finance Commission (CFC) grants;

Ensuring devolution of funds, functions and functionaries; Preparing and

operationalizing a framework for bottom-up grassroots planning andconvergence through the DPC; Ensuring free and fair elections, and making

the SEC autonomous; Strengthening the institutional structure for capacity

building of Panchayats, selecting suitable partners for capacity building, and

improving outreach and quality of capacity building; Putting in place a

system of performance assessment of Panchayats; Strengthening Gram

Sabhas, promoting Mahila Sabhas/Ward Sabhas; Institutionalizing

accountability processes such as voluntary disclosure of information and

social audit; Strengthening the system of budgeting, accounts and audit,

including use of e-enabled processes. Maintenance of Panchayat accounts

on-line at least for District and Intermediate Panchayats. Issuing of

guidelines/rules for voluntary disclosure of budget and accounts by

Panchayat, and ensuring compliance of State laws and rules with PESA.

Activities that can be included in State plans under RGPSA are -

Administrative and Technical Support at the Gram Panchayat level; GP

Buildings; Capacity Building and Training of Elected Representatives &

Functionaries; Institutional Structure for Training at State, District & Block

level; e-enablement of Panchayats; Support to Panchayat Processes and

Procedures in Panchayats with Inadequate Revenue Base; Special Support

for Gram Sabhas in PESA and NE Areas; Programme Management;

Information, Education, Communication (IEC); Strengthening of State

Election Commission (SECs) and Innovative Activities in States. In

addition, RGPSA will provide support to innovative projects to strengthen

Panchayati Raj and incentivize Panchayats for their performance.

By strengthening Panchayati Raj, RGPSA will strengthen

grassroots governance in the country, enhance accountability and increase

the space for peoples participation.

(PIB Features.)

******

*Inputs from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.

SS-66/SF-66/14-08-2013

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PIB English Features-RGPSA

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