Shimla, July 12, 2015: In our country, since Vedic era, Panchayati Raj system was in practice as a most effective governing process at grass root level. This system had been popular in social administration & management and justice deliverance since time immemorial. Considering its importance Mahatma Gandhi had termed panchayati raj as foundation of Indian political structure. The State government was determined to further strengthen this indispensable component of democratic social structure so as to fullfil Gandhiji's vision. In view of this, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) have been strengthened by decentralizing them administrative and financial powers besides empowering them by giving more legal powers.
The State government had taken various initiatives to strengthen the PRIs and a budget provision of Rs. 414 crore has been made for current financial year.
In order to ensure smooth & effective execution of its day to day functioning besides bringing more transparency and responsiveness, all Panchayats in the Pradesh had been computerised. The computerisation had been proved helpful in maintenance of accounts and records. Modern software applications under Mission Mode Project of GoI, have been introduced in Panchayati Raj System. The PRI functionaries have been imparted training to make them efficient in using these applications. Under this project 12 Assistant Programmers and 75 computer operators have been recruited.
To provide internet connectivity in all panchayats of tribal district Kinnaur each panchayat had been provided Rs. 31.40 lakh for V-Set during the year 2014-15.
The state government has taken a decision to fill up 400 posts of Panchayat Sahayaks out of which 65 from the sports quota so as to provide various services to the people at grass root level.
A sum of Rs. 391.39 crore has been received for strengthening the PRIs under 13th finance commission during last two and half years which includes Rs. 86.14 crore during 2012-13, Rs. 153.47 during 2013-14 and Rs. 151.78 during 2014-15. The state government would release Rs. 109 crore from state budget during 2015-16. Besides, Rs. 195 crore would also be sanctioned for the panchayats as per the recommendations of 14th finance commission.
State Finance Commission had sanctioned Rs. 215.48 crore for the panchayats since December, 2012 which were spent on honourarium to representatives, officials of PRIs and their travelling & daily allowance besides maintenance & construction of panchayat ghars.
Rs. 3.75 crore were released for the construction of 50 new panchyat ghars during last fiscal whereas Rs. 1.25 crore were sanctioned during 2013-14 for State Panchayat Resource Centre to be set up at Mashobra. Rs 4.50 crore had been spent on training to the PRIs during last two and half years.
Rs. 69.95 crore had been received from Ministry of Panchayati Raj, GoI, under Backward Area Grant during the above period and 5588 works were sanctioned.
The State government had enhanced honorarium of representatives and officials of PRIs which comprises Rs. 6500 and Rs 4500 per month to Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of Zila Parishad, Rs. 2100 and Rs. 1800 to the Pradhan and Up Pradhan respectively. Members of gram panchayat are being paid honorarium of Rs. 200 every month for attending the gram sabha meetings.
Monthly honorarium of Panchayat Sahayaks have been increased to Rs. 7000 from Rs. 5910 besides Monthly honorarium of Embroidery teachers and Panchayat Chowkidars have been increased from Rs. 1600 to Rs. 2000 per month and from Rs. 1650 to Rs. 1800 per month respectively.
The posts of Junior Engineers and Junior Stenographers have been sanctioned to effectively and smoothly run of day to day working of PRIs. The services of an Assistant Engineer, 15 Junior Engineers, 6 Junior Stenographers and a Junior Account working in PRIs had been regularised.
State government had taken a new initiative of organizing Mahila Gram Sabhas twice in a year to ensure active participation by women in Gram Panchayats besides listening to the issues related to the women and children.