In a report tabled in Rajya Sabha on March 15, the Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj mentioned States weren’t receiving funds primarily for capability constructing and coaching of elected representatives, functionaries and different stakeholders of the panchayats.
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A parliamentary panel has ticked off the Panchayati Raj Ministry over the non-release of funds to States under the flagship Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA).
In its report tabled in Rajya Sabha on March 15, the Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj mentioned these funds are launched to the States primarily for capability constructing and coaching of elected representatives, functionaries and different stakeholders of the panchayats.
It mentioned that 19 out of 34 States and Union territories haven’t acquired any funds under the scheme for the monetary yr 2022-23 (as on 31.12.2022). Similarly, in 2021-22, no funds had been launched to 9 out of 34 states and Union territories.
“The Ministry to this effect submitted that timely non-submission of requisite documents and non-compliance of instructions stipulated by the Ministry of Finance, inter alia, are the reasons for non-release of funds.
“In Committees view, halting funds in such a fashion to many states will hamper the progress of this essential scheme which goals at strengthening of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). In this context, the Committee suggest that the Ministry must be proactive in guaranteeing compliance of Ministry of Finance stipulations and submission of requisite paperwork by the States/UTs in order that funds are launched to all of the States/UTs uniformly,” the committee said.
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It additionally mentioned that if needed, such issues must be taken up on the highest stage with the States/Union territories in order that progress of the envisaged schemes could not hamper on account of delay or non-release of funds under RGSA.
The committee additionally raised considerations over the non-availability of laptop in gram panchayats.
“The Committee are concerned to note that out of 271102 Gram Panchayats in the country, only 219889 GPs have computers in them. Availability of computers is a prerequisite for using internet service facilities,” it mentioned.
It additionally identified that solely 80,742 rural native our bodies have lively web connection as on 21-01-2023 out of 2,71,102 rural native our bodies despite the fact that 1.92 lakh gram panchayats have been made service prepared.
“The Committee have also observed lack of broadband connectivity in the Gram Panchayats and use of private cellular data for public service delivery during its study visits undertaken to States such as Maharashtra.
“Considering the importance of the undertaking, the Committee urge the Ministry to take concrete steps in coordination with different two Ministries to make all of the 1.92 lakh service prepared GPs to have lively web connection throughout 2023-24 and to attach all GPs with Broad Band connectivity by 2024-25. The Committee want to be apprised of the progress made on this regard,” it mentioned.
It additionally beneficial that the ministry be sure that all gram panchayats present all mandated on-line assured companies as an alternative of confining solely start and dying certificates
