LS decries lack of devolution of powers under Panchayati Raj

New Delhi, Dec 8 (UNI) Notwithstanding several decades of existence of the Panchayati Raj system, members in the Lok Sabha today regretted the lack of effective devolution of powers under it and highlighted the ineffective functioning of the Gram Panchayats.

They suggested to the government to prepare a state by state report card on the functioning of this grass-root system of democracy.

The Members were participating in a debate regarding a Report presented to the House on November 23,2006, by Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer. The Report related to 'State of the Panchayats--A Mid Term Review and Appraisal-2006'.

Mr Kharabela Swain(BJP) referred to infrequent meetings of the 'Gram Sabha' in different parts of the country and said uniformity needed to be brought in relating to the frequency of these meetings and the place they were held.

Mr Suresh Prabhu (Shiv Sena) said the government needed to carry out a country-wide survey to solicit how effectively these institutions were working.

The Appraisal should also go into the issue of devolution of powers under the system and the extent of capacity building that has been effected.

Another key question in this regard was the magnitude of the resources the Local Self Governments had been able to generate.

Mr Lakshman Singh (BJP) said 'Nayaya Panchayats' were not functioning properly and called for steps to improve these.

Mr B Mahtab(BJD) said devolution of powers to Panchayati Raj Institutions was still a distant dream and bemoaned that 'Gram Sabhas' had become bodies for settling quarrels rather than taking recourse to effective action.

Mr Gao Tapir (BJP) referred to inadequacies of the Panchayati Raj system and the need for ensuring that power and funds flowed in a proportionate menner from the top layer of functioning to the one at the bottom.

Mr Khirren Rijju (BJP) said lack of establishing Panchayati Raj Institutions was akin to murdering democracy.

Ms Jayaben B Thakkar (BJP) said there was need for establishing a system of e-governance to the lowest level. She referred to the success of this system in Gujarat.

UNI GS PK KP1740