Thakur for true devolution of funds and power to PRIs

Bhubaneswar, June 16 (UNI) Orissa Governor Rameswar Thakur today urged the Panchayati Raj Ministers in the country to ensure that true devolution has been effected with regard to flow of funds, planning and implementation to the Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) Addressing the valedictory session of the two-day conference of State Panchayat Raj Ministers, Mr Thakur said various Ministries, line Departments and respective State Government should ensure timely flow of funds while setting a time bound process for identification of areas of activity planning, implementation and accountability for PRIs.

He further said the training of PRI members, raising their expertise level in certain matters, capacity building, involving NGOs as and when necessary, formation of specialist groups for providing guidance and inputs on certain areas were some of the important aspects which require a synergetic convergence, with the objectives of the Central Government, the planning commission and the State Government.

'' It is a welcome step that the Conference has concluded to make integrated local planning for area development, a reality during the Eleventh Five Year Plan, '' Mr Thakur said and urged that the representation of women in the various committees and sub-committees of different levels of Panchayats should be ensured.

The Governor said it was heartening to note that review has been made regarding progress in different states in areas like activity mapping, creation of Panchayat window in State Budgets, action taken report on the agreement signed between Union Panchayati Raj Minister and Chief Minister of all states on the release and utilisation of 12th Finance Commission grants and other issues.

The Orissa government, he said, was committed to empowering people through devolution of power, funds and functionaries and taking all steps to improve the standard of living in rural areas by making available the urban facilities in rural areas and creating permanent resource and assets base and employment generation.

He said the functions pertaining to 21 subjects out of 29 enlisted in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution have been transferred to the control of 3-Tier Panchayati Raj Institutions while Activity Mapping of 18 subjects had already been done.

With the Right to Information Act came into effect in the State, people, particularly those in rural and tribal areas, need to be made aware of the Act as this would keep the functionaries vigilant and more transparent, Mr Thakur said.

He said at the end of the third round of Panchayat Raj Election across the country, we noticed two phenomena making itself apparent.

In most States, the Governor said, the representation of women has crossed the 33 per cent reservation provided to them.

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