Haryana Enhances Village Development With New Financial Policies

Haryana's Chief Minister, Manohar Lal Khattar, announced significant concessions for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Village heads (Sarpanchs) can now undertake developmental projects worth up to Rs 21 lakh without e-tenders, a substantial increase from the previous Rs 5 lakh limit.

Additionally, Sarpanchs will receive Travelling Allowance (TA) and Dearness Allowance (DA), with travel expenses reimbursed at Rs 16 per kilometre for personal or taxi use.

Addressing a state-level Panchayati Raj and Sarpanch conference in Kurukshetra, Khattar revealed that the approval for TA/DA claims would be handled by the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO). He also addressed issues related to soil filling in village ponds, stating that these costs would now be included in project estimates once proposals are approved by the Gram Panchayat.

Khattar announced an increase in the prescribed fees for lawyers handling court cases. The fee for district or sub-division level cases will rise from Rs 1,100 to Rs 5,500. For cases in the High Court and Supreme Court, the fee will increase from Rs 5,500 to Rs 33,000. These changes aim to ensure better legal representation for PRIs.

The Chief Minister also increased the expenditure limit from the Panchayat Fund for village events. For Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations, the limit has been raised from Rs 3,000 to Rs 30,000. Similarly, the budget for purchasing national flags or distributing sweets on national festivals has been increased from Rs 500 to Rs 5,000.

The post of Sarpanch will now be included in the protocol list for government programmes held in villages. This means that Sarpanchs will have seating arrangements alongside the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and Superintendent of Police (SP). This move aims to elevate the status of Sarpanchs within local governance structures.

Khattar also announced a Rs 1,000 increase in the honorarium for sanitation workers in both urban and rural areas. He emphasised that village development is crucial for achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of making India a developed nation by 2047. The state government is committed to providing sufficient funds to accelerate village development.

Addressing Developmental Challenges

To resolve delays in project estimates by Junior Engineers (JEs), Khattar stated that once a proposal is submitted on the Haryana Electronic Watershed (HEW) portal, JEs must prepare and upload estimates within 10 days. This measure aims to speed up developmental works across villages.

The Chief Minister highlighted past discrimination against village development by previous governments. Before 2014, the State Finance Commission grant for Panchayats was Rs 600 crore. Under Modi's leadership, this grant has increased to Rs 2,968 crore. Additionally, Rs 7,276.77 crore has been allocated for rural development in the financial year 2024-25.

Strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions

Khattar noted that his government is working to empower PRIs by giving them more authority and resources. Women now have 50% representation in these institutions. The state has also appointed 3,000 computer operators in Gram Panchayats and allowed them to purchase IT equipment through Government e-Marketplace (GeM) to modernise their operations.

The Chief Minister mentioned that unregistered contractors could now undertake work worth up to Rs 50 lakh annually. If these projects are completed on time, they can take up works worth Rs 1 crore next year. This initiative aims to expedite developmental projects across Haryana.

Support from State Government Officials

Minister of Development and Panchayats Devender Singh Babli assured Sarpanchs that their challenges would be addressed promptly. He stated that resolving these issues would enable village representatives to accelerate developmental works effectively. Babli emphasised that the state government stands firmly with PRIs.

Minister of State for Urban Local Bodies Sharda Rathore described Sarpanchs as "small MLAs" dedicated to public service in rural areas. She urged Panchayat representatives to visit pilgrimage sites in Kurukshetra while attending the conference.

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Dr Amit Agrawal welcomed all Panchayat representatives and highlighted various developmental schemes run by the department. Other dignitaries present included Deputy Speaker Ranbir Gangwa, Education Minister Kanwar Pal, Public Health Engineering Minister Dr Banwari Lal, and several MLAs and former officials.

The conference underscored Haryana's commitment to empowering local governance through increased financial limits, enhanced legal support, and modernisation initiatives. These measures aim to ensure comprehensive development across villages while recognising the crucial role of Sarpanchs in local administration.