The Hindu Business Line : Electronic monitoring of panchayati raj funds utilisation mooted

THE Centre has proposed electronic monitoring of fund utilisation at panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) for effective devolution of financial resources. The proposal was forwarded at the first `round table on Panchayati Raj' organised in Kolkata on July 24 and 25. The round table was attended by 11 departmental ministers from eastern, northern and north-eastern States of the country.

The Centre will organise six more round tables across the country this year as part of the Prime Minister's initiative for poverty alleviation and development through panchayati raj.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, the Union Minister for Panchayati Raj, Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, told news persons that the detailed discussion on the electronic monitoring would be held at the next round table in Bangalore.

The Central financial resources to the PRIs are generally routed through the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA), Sarbasiksha Aviyan of HRD Ministry and consolidated funds for the PRIs and the States.

Adopting resolutions on four broad parameters, including effective devolution of functions, functionaries and finances and, empowerment of gramsabhas, the round table resolved that the "electronic monitoring could stop the controversy on diversion or delay of funds from reaching the beneficiaries altogether." All the resolutions adopted, however, were subject to approval of the State Governments concerned, Mr Aiyar clarified.

Talking on the effective devolution of functions and functionaries, the Minister said that the meeting "decided to merge the Centre-sponsored DRDA" with the PRIs so that the DRDA functionaries be answerable to the elected representatives of the PRIs and the resources available with the DRDA be utilised by the PRIs.

For effective devolution of function the State Government would carry out an "activity mapping" of different PRIs prior to the progressive merger of the DRDA. On whether the Centre will monitor the activity mapping, Mr Aiyar said that the idea that all virtue lay with the Centre and all vices would be laid at the doors of the States, was a myth. States will be given complete authority in formalizsing the activity map.

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