Page 379 - DECO502_INDIAN_ECONOMIC_POLICY_ENGLISH

Unit 30: Implementation of Economic Policies: Role of Panchayats and Pressure Groups

3. When a fund transfer takes place to the Panchayat, there should be a mechanism to maintain Notes
accountability and transparency. This is not very difficult in today’s electronically-linked world
of giving publicity to the people of that area.
4. To solve over-engineering of the structure, one has to move, between what items have to be
subject to conditionalities and what kind of conditionalities are actually needed. Moreover,
what extent of freedom of decision-making should be allowed to which level should also be
considered.
5. There is also the issue of a whole set of parallel paraphernalia and agencies which really are not
required to be set-up.
Effective decentralisation for development needs the following steps :
• We should train people participating in Panchayats in prioritising issues.
• Members of Panchayats should be trained to put choices before an elected body so that they are
in a position to really explain to the chairperson or the Panchayat.
Administrative Powers
1. After preparing the framework for devolution, the State Government, should simultaneously
reorganise the existing District Administration.
2. Different line departments should be encouraged by the State Governments to take up
appropriate measures to integrate their activities with Panchayati Raj System.
3. The three tiers of Panchayati Raj should be supported with adequate autonomy in the framework
for devolution.
4. The District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) should be integrated with the District
Panchayat to ensure harmonious integration of different agencies to the service of common
objectives of rural development.
5. State Governments should assign administrative powers between three tiers as per the
framework given.
6. Convergence of schemes should be further pursued for local benefit.
7. The State Governments may devolve powers and functions to the three tiers of Panchayati Raj
vis-a-vis. The 30 items under the Eleventh Schedule.
8. Functionaries and funds may be transferred to the PRIs for implementation of various Schemes.
9. The Panchayati Raj Institutions should be allowed to constitute adequate number of Subject
Committees covering important items.
10. Institutions/organisations along with the activities to the appropriate tier of Panchayats should
be transferred to facilitate smooth functioning of the Panchayati Institutions.
11. Mechanisms for monitoring and supervision of the activities of PRIs may be devised by
Strengthening of Audit System, Constituting inter-tier Standing Committee, Social Audit by
Gram Sabha, enforcing Transparency in the activities of Panchayats and Constitution of
‘Ombudsman’ for the purpose.
12. Qualified and trained personnel at all levels to assist PRIs in their day-today Operations should
be made the part of devolution package.
13. It may noted that all Class-I posts of Panchayati Raj should be filled on deputation basis from the
State Cadre. Similarly, Class-II officers may be recruited through the State Public Service
Commissions or on deputation basis from the State Cadres. For class-III and lower staff, the
recruitment may be at the Regional/District level through an independent Recruitment Board.
14. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the District Panchayat should be an Officer equivalent to
the District Collector.

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