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Panchayats seeks more financial, political liberty
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NewsByte on 24 April, 2008 10:15:00
 
New Delhi: After more than a decade when Panchayati Raj got its constitutional
status in 1993, the village institutions is still to get out from the clutches
of red- tapism apart from getting its economic and political liberty, said a
draft Charter on Panchayati Raj which was presented to the Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh today.
The Fifteenth Anniversary Charter drafted by about 7000 district and
intermediate Panchayat presidents was discussed and debated during the three-day
National Convention of Panchayat representatives convened to commemorate the
induction of Panchayati Raj into Constitution by 73rd Constitutional Amendment
Act on April 24, 1993.
The Charter, which toyed the line of achieving inclusive growth through
inclusive governance, has suggested many recommendations for improved and
effective functioning of Panchayati Raj institutions at local level.
The recommendations, which primarily include ensuring freedom from red- tapism,
extending economic and political liberty, devolution of all 29 matters listed in
the 11th Schedule of the Constitution and undertaking a detailed activity
mapping to assign each level of Panchayats, will be discussed in the National
Development Council also.
Terming the occasion as "historic", Prime Minister Manmohan Singh underlined
the goal of Panchayati Raj institutions. "It is to ensure that the voice of aam
admi (commonman) be reach from panch (Five) to prime minister, and Panchayats
can play and is playing the role now after 15 years. Panchayati Raj has
strengthened the roots of democracy more."
Counting rural development as preference area of his government, Manmohan Singh
said that it had contributed remarkably in bridging the gaps between have and
have nots. "Since our government has come to power, we have increased by four
times the expenditure on rural development and welfare of people living in rural
areas. Constructing a organised society has been our preference in which the
difference between poor and rich, educated and uneducated and powerful and weak
would be abolished," he said.
The Prime Minister said that programmes like NREGA (National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act), Rural Electrification Programme and Mid-day Meal can be better
managed by increasing the roles of Panchayati Raj.
"The implementation of programmes must be done at the level, which can
effectively manage it. Most of our developmental works can be carried out in a
batter way at the local level. That is why we are giving importance to the
direct partnership of Panchayats in the management of our programmes of
education, sanitation and health," he clarified.
Saying that Rs 10,000 crore have been spent by Panchayats in two years under
NREGA, the Prime Minister has called on the States to transfer more
responsibilities to the local institutions.
Terming the improved representation of marginalised sections of society through
Panchayati Raj institutions as the biggest success of Panchayati Raj, Singh said
that by providing greater role to Panchayati Raj ill-effects of corruption can
be curtailed at the considerable extend.
Today, more than 26 lakh representatives stand elected to the three levels of
Panchayats. Of these, over 10 lakh are women, 5.2 lakh belong to Scheduled
Castes and 3.3 lakh of the Scheduled Tribes. More than 40 per cent
representatives are women.
Apart from Charter, a detailed report on the State of Panchayats 2007-08
studied by Y K Alagh, chairman of Institute of Rural Management, Anand also
presented to the Prime Minister. PM assured paying necessary attention on all
suggestions and recommendations.