Himachal seeks central funds for strengthening of Panchayati Raj institutions
New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal has requested the centre to allocate financial assistance of Rs. 15.90 crore to strengthen the panchayati raj institutions infrastructure in the State.
The demand was made by Chief Minister Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal in a meeting with Union Panchayati Raj Development Minister Shri Mani Shankar Aiyer who called on him in Himachal Sadan New Delhi.
Prof. Dhumal told that the State Government has submitted a proposal under Rashtriya Gram Sawraj Yojana of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of India to provide fund for the establishment of resource centre at Gram Panchayat level in phased manner. During the current financial year the State Government has requested funds to the tune of Rs. 10.20 crore for the construction of 300 such resource centre @ Rs. 3.40 lakhs per resource centre and requested to sanction the project.
Chief Minister pleaded for liberal funds for construction of Panchayat Ghars in the state and told that Presently there are 3243 Panchayats in the State. The State Government out of its own resources has provided funds for the construction of about 1019 Panchayat Ghar so far but about 1500 Gram Panchayats which are housed in old buildings consisting of one small room require up-gradation by providing funds for additional accommodation/ renovation. Up-gradation of the existing old Panchayat Ghars are essential for conducting regular Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat meetings, to set up computers in the Panchayat Ghar and to provide facility of library etc. in the Panchayat.
Prof. Dhumal told that the Department of Panchayati Raj, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh has two Panchayati Raj training Institutes, one at Mashobra, district Shimla and another at Baijnath District Kangra. These Institutions are entrusted with the responsibilities of imparting training to nearly 25000 elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and about 10000 related officials. He told that the Panchayati Raj Training Institute Mashobra is entrusted with six districts of Shimla region However, at present this institute is not able to discharge its responsibility effectively due to lack of adequate training accommodation and infrastructure. He told that State Government has submitted Rs. 5.7 crore cost proposal to Central Government to strengthen/upgrade this Institute by constructing additional infrastructure required for training purposes. He told Union Minister that State Government will bear 25 percent project cost from its own resources and pleaded for early sanction of the project so as to strengthen the basic panchayati raj infrastructure in the State.
Chief Minister told the Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer about the various steps taken for strengthening of panchayati raj institutions in the State and told that fifty percent reservations has been provided for women in panchayati raj and local bodies elections in the State for women empowerment.
Prof. Dhumal suggested that women seats should not be rotated but should continue for at least three elections so as women candidates could develop emotional understanding with the area and their electorates.
Chief Minister also suggested for providing separate budget for panchayat roads and other local infrastructure in the grass root level at the villages.
Prof. Dhumal told that State Government is committed to provide latest training and refresher courses on various developmental issues to panchayati raj representatives to seek their active support in implementations of various government schemes at village level and added that a capacity building scheme of Rs. 3.50 crore has been submitted to Union Government recently.
Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer appreciated the steps taken by the State Government for strengthening the panchayati raj institutions in the State and told that centre will provide liberal assistance to State Government for implementations of various schemes.
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