Centre and MP govt ink declaration on panchayats

Bhopal, Dec 17 (UNI) With the objective of further strengthening Madhya Pradesh's three-tier panchayats, the Centre and the state government inked a declaration here today.

Union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan expressed agreement over mutual cooperation on various steps towards the goal.

The document enlisted the rights provided to this state's panchayati raj institutions (PRIs). Madhya Pradesh agreed to draft an information technology scheme for computerising panchayats and linking them with the Internet under the Union ministry's e-Panchayati Raj Programme.

The declaration referred to free and fair elections to district panchayats, implementation of the recommendations of the State Finance Commission formed for PRIs, direct transfer of funds to village panchayats' bank accounts, such panchayats' administrative and financial powers, gram sabhas' rights, undertaking 90 per cent of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme's construction work through the medium of village panchayats, bestowing on such panchayats the right to appoint and relieve village secretaries, enhancing the honorarium for panchayat employees, training, auditing of PRIs' accounts, according minister of state status to district panchayat presidents etc.

Every janpad panchayat has been provided with five computers.

The document noted that 29 activities of 23 departments were transferred to panchayats. Other activities would be transferred in a phased manner and reassessed. Panchayats would impose taxes, fees and cess and collect these levies. Excellence in tax collection by panchayats and gram sabhas would be awarded.

The state government will endeavour to ensure that electronic voting machines are used during the next panchayat polls. Maximum presence of women in gram sabhas would be ensured.

Under the Centre's action plan, cooperation would be extended through public, private and panchayat participation for setting up a village trade hub that would focus on rural tourism, biofarming, food-processing, handicraft, horticulture, floriculture, biodiesel, mini hydrolectric power, development of non-conventional energy techniques etc.

The Panchayati Raj Ministry would extend technical and financial assistance in a campaign for generating awareness among the youth and women elected to panchayats.

Among those present were Madhya Pradesh Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar and Minister of State Gangaram Patel.

UNI AG-AC 1750