Latest news with #Panchayats
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Don't indulge in CSR fraud: DK Shivakumar to corporate entities
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar on Saturday warned corporate entities operating in the state not to indulge in committing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fraud. He made the statement during a review meeting on Saturday at Vidhana Soudha, held to assess state-wide progress with Deputy Commissioners and CEOs. Deputy CM Shivakumar pointed out that many corporate entities based in Karnataka are issuing CSR cheques to private service organisations (NGOs) in other states, and are allegedly taking back around 50 per cent of the amount in cash. This development has come to the notice of the government, he called this a fraudulent practice and stated that such misuse of Karnataka's share of CSR funds is unacceptable. 'It is your responsibility to ensure these funds are used for the development of our schools,' he told the officials.'We don't need CSR funds in cash. Instead, let the companies build one public school per three Gram Panchayats. If land is required, the government will provide it. You identify the land, we will provide the school design. Let the companies construct the buildings and provide infrastructure. Their name can be displayed on the school building alongside the government's,' he proposed. The state receives around Rs 8,000 crore annually through CSR funds. A year ago, directions were issued to utilise these funds for constructing CSR model schools. However, the implementation has been unsatisfactory, Shivakumar noted. He expressed strong displeasure over the slow progress in the construction of CSR-funded public schools in Karnataka, modelled after the Karnataka Public Schools added, 'In my constituency, we are constructing 13 CSR public schools, each costing Rs 9 to Rs 12 crore. But work is progressing only in a few locations, and most places show a complete lack of interest.'
India Gazette
7 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand CM Dhami launches
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 29 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the 'Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan' in Guniyal village, Dehradun, on Thursday. According to an official release, the Chief Minister said that during the campaign, agricultural scientists and officials will communicate with farmers in 95 development blocks, 670 Nyaya Panchayats and 11440 villages of the state. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that, from May 29 to June 12, more than 2000 scientific teams will communicate with 1.5 crore farmers in more than 700 districts across the country under the campaign. For this campaign, three teams have been formed in each district of the state, which will organise programs at three places every day. More than 600 farmers will be communicated with in each such program. The Chief Minister said that through the 'Vikasit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan,' farmers will be given information about advanced agricultural techniques according to their land, climate, and needs and trained to select profitable crops based on soil testing. In addition, information about schemes like agriculture, animal husbandry, and horticulture will be provided. The campaign will also compile the experiences, traditional knowledge, innovations, and suggestions of the farmers, which will make scientific research more practical in the future. The Chief Minister said that this campaign will prove to be a milestone in taking our state's agriculture sector to new heights through modernity and innovation and in empowering and enriching our food providers. The Chief Minister said that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is moving rapidly towards realizing the resolution of 'developed nation'. Continuous efforts are being made by the Central Government to double the income of our food providers. On the one hand, financial assistance is being provided to 11 crore farmers across the country through 'Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana.' He said continuous increase in the income of farmers is being ensured by increasing the minimum support price on all major crops. Along with this, efforts are also being made to benefit the farmers through many schemes like Crop Insurance Scheme, Kisan Maandhan Scheme, Soil Health Card, Horticulture Development Mission, Agricultural Machinery Subsidy, Drip Irrigation Scheme, Digital Agriculture Mission. The Chief Minister said that the state government is providing interest-free loans up to three lakh rupees to the farmers of the state. For the purpose of providing agricultural equipment to the farmers, subsidy of up to 80 percent is being given for purchasing agricultural equipment through the 'Farm Machinery Bank' scheme. Farmers are being given a bonus of Rs 20 per quintal on wheat purchase. The state government has also increased the rate of sugarcane by Rs 20 per quintal. Irrigation from the canal has been made absolutely free for the farmers. The Chief Minister said that tea gardens Dhauladevi, Munsiyari and Betalghat are being converted into organic tea gardens. Similarly, 6 aroma valleys are being developed in the state. In this year's budget, a provision of Rs 200 crore has been made especially for the construction of polyhouses. To increase rain-based farming in hilly areas, 'Uttarakhand Climate Responsive Rain-Fed Farming Project' has also been approved at a cost of about Rs 1,000 crore. Recently, the state government has implemented many important schemes like new apple policy, kiwi policy, 'State Millet Mission' and 'Dragon Fruit Policy' at a cost of Rs 1200 crore. On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced that to renovate and beautify the community building in Guniyal village and to stop the falling water level of Song river, RCC wall, check dam and cut off wall will be constructed at two places in the lower area of Guniyal village. On this occasion, the Chief Minister also inspected various stalls. (ANI)
Hans India
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
If villages are strong, India will develop faster: PM Modi on launching Rs 13,480-crore projects in Bihar
Patna: On the occasion of National Panchayati Raj Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a massive public gathering in the Madhubani district of Bihar and inaugurated a series of development projects across key sectors, including railways, infrastructure, LPG, and rural empowerment -- collectively worth over Rs 13,480 crore. The event began on a solemn note, with the Prime Minister urging the crowd to observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims of the April 22 Pahalgam attack. He also paid tribute to the renowned national poet Ramdhari Singh Dinkar on his death anniversary. 'Before we speak of development, let us remember those who were taken from us. Let's pay our respects with silence,' he said. Emphasising the importance of village self-governance, PM Modi reflected on Mahatma Gandhi's vision of strong villages being key to India's progress. 'If the villages of India are strong, the country will develop faster. This is the soul of Panchayati Raj,' he stated. In the past 10 years, the Modi government has connected over two lakh Gram Panchayats to the Internet, built 5.5 lakh Common Service Centres in rural areas, constructed 30,000 Panchayat Bhawans, allocated Rs two lakh crore in Panchayat funds, and directly invested in rural development. 'Today, Panchayats can issue certificates like birth, death, and land records digitally. Technology has brought transparency and efficiency to grassroots governance,' PM Modi added. Praising Bihar's pioneering move to provide 50 per cent reservation to women in Panchayats, PM Modi called it an example of real social justice. 'Thousands of our sisters and daughters from marginalised communities are now decision-makers. This is the true strength of democracy,' he said. PM Modi highlighted the success of the 'Jeevika Didi' self-help group movement, announcing Rs 1,000 crore in fresh financial assistance for women-led SHGs in Bihar. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone or inaugurated projects in Rail connectivity, including multiple new lines and Amrit Bharat and NaMo Bharat express trains. PM Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the LPG bottling plant at Hathua block in Gopalganj district, a project worth Rs 340 crore to enhance bulk LPG transportation and streamline the supply chain. He also inaugurated projects related to the power sector worth Rs 1,170 crore and Rs 5,030 crore worth of power infrastructure projects under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme. PM Narendra Modi also flagged off new trains -- the Amrit Bharat Express between Saharsa and Mumbai, the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Jaynagar and Patna, and regional connections between Pipra, Saharsa and Samastipur, Supaul-Pipra and Hasanpur-Bithan rail lines, and Rail Overbridges in Chapra and Bagaha and also dedicated the Khagaria-Alauli rail line to the nation. PM Modi also distributed Rs 930 crore under the Community Investment Fund to over two lakh Self-Help Groups (SHG) in Bihar under Day-NRLM. Linking the event to Bihar's historical legacy, PM Modi said: 'The entire country is connected to the soil of Mithila. The work launched today will create new job opportunities and drive growth in the region.' A total of 1.5 lakh families in Bihar received new pucca homes under PMAY-G, approval letters for new homes handed over to 15 lakh families nationwide, including 3.5 lakh from Bihar, financial assistance disbursed to 10 lakh poor families across the country, including 80,000 rural and one lakh urban families from Bihar. 'Houses of the poor have been built in villages, roads paved, gas and water connections reached every doorstep. This is modern infrastructure building the foundation of a developed India,' PM Modi stated. He said that over 12 crore rural families now have tap water connections, 2.5 crore homes have been electrified, and LPG cylinders have reached countless households previously reliant on firewood. PM Modi hailed the cultural and economic value of Makhana, an aquatic crop native to Mithila: 'Makhana has received the GI (Geographical Indication) tag, officially recognising its origin in Bihar. The Makhana Research Centre has been given national status. A dedicated Makhana Board, announced in the Union Budget, is expected to empower local farmers and boost exports,' he said. 'Makhana is not just food, it's culture. Now, it will also be a source of prosperity,' the Prime Minister emphasised. PM Modi previewed India Steel 2025, a two-day summit focused on strengthening India's strategic and high-grade steel production, especially for defence and aerospace. "India was once dependent on imported steel. Today, the steel used in our first indigenous aircraft carrier is made in India. Our Chandrayaan Mission too rode on the strength of Indian steel,' he said proudly.
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Opinion What the Panchayat Devolution Index reveals about strengthening local governance
My visit to a remote tribal village during a visioning exercise with community institutions changed my perspectives on Panchayat administration. The leaders of village SHGs (self-help groups) engaged in discussions to improve basic facilities – something often taken for granted in urban areas – made me think differently. Each of India's six lakh villages is unique, shaped by geography, people, and history. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment of 1992 acknowledged this diversity, creating a new governance structure with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), empowering communities to plan, decide, and act. The Panchayat Devolution Report 2024 The Ministry of Panchayati Raj's 2024 report on 'Devolution to Panchayats in States: An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking' offers a rare, honest lens into the state of decentralisation across India. Beyond the numbers, the report evaluates the autonomy and empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by assessing the devolution of powers, resources, and decision-making autonomy. The core idea of the report is that for Panchayats to govern effectively, they need three key pillars: Functions, funds, and functionaries. The index evaluates states across six dimensions: Framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity building, and accountability. While the report shows devolution to rural local bodies increased from 39.9 per cent (2013–14) to 43.9 per cent (2021–22), the variation across dimensions is striking. The 'Functionaries Index' rose from 39.6 per cent to 50.9 per cent, with improvements in infrastructure, staffing, and digitalisation. Capacity building rose from 44 per cent to 54.6 per cent, aided by programmes like Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA). However, functional devolution dropped from 35.34 per cent to 29.18 per cent, showing that many Panchayats still lack control over core services. • The top five States in the overall rankings are Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh • Kerala performed better in the 'Framework' dimension, while Karnataka scored highest in 'Financial' devolution and 'Accountability'. • Tamil Nadu tops in Functions while Gujarat leads in Functionary capacity • Surprisingly, Puducherry, a UT, has not held Panchayat elections since 2006—an alarming breach of constitutional obligations. A striking finding is that though Panchayats are expected to play crucial roles in 28 major schemes, financial allocations are minimal or unclear. The report highlights the rise of 13 parallel bodies bypassing Panchayats, diluting their constitutional role. Basic functions like birth registration, waste management, and sanitation are often excluded from Panchayat responsibilities in many state-level Acts, raising concerns about the integrity of self-governance. Status of PRI finances The financial picture is mixed. Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu lead with regular SFC-based transfers, while Assam, Goa, and Jharkhand fall below the national average. Most Panchayats rely on grants, with over 95 per cent of funds coming from the Union and state governments, according to the RBI report. Local tax generation remains negligible (1 per cent or less), limiting PRIs' fiscal autonomy. There is also insufficient provision for operation and maintenance costs or funds to maintain assets under schemes like the Jal Jeevan Mission or the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Ground-level insights Being a development design organisation working to transform India's bottom 100,000 villages into flourishing communities, Transform Rural India's (TRI) experience shows that Panchayats can become powerful platforms for community-led governance if meaningfully enabled. These institutions offer citizens space to deliberate on everyday issues. In many villages, despite incomplete devolution, we've seen transformational shifts when community-based organisations (CBOs) complement Panchayats, supporting and holding them accountable. This synergy has created productive space for frontline workers and service providers, especially in health, nutrition, education, and markets. However, such actions require Panchayats to be functional, resourceful, and autonomous. Sadly, inadequate delegation, symbolic authority, and excessive state control through procedural bottlenecks still limit their potential. Proxy leadership and limited space for elected SC/ST and women representatives must be addressed. Despite constitutional guarantees, many elected women representatives (EWRs) lack the agency, authority, and support to lead effectively. In our state consultations, the need to modernise outdated laws on own-source revenue repeatedly came up. Also, many states still follow old tax rules. From representation to real power Weak devolution hampers progress in health, nutrition, sanitation, and education, where local knowledge and quick decisions are essential. Without clear roles, accountability, trained staff, or financial control, Panchayats often remain symbolic despite having physical infrastructure. They are meant to foster democratic engagement, but without functions, funds, and functionaries, they cannot fulfil this role effectively. The 2024 Devolution Report calls for urgent action to give Panchayats real authority over basic services, planning, and implementation. Empowerment must go beyond representation. Programs like Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan, a nationwide effort to train 1.4 million EWRs, are a step forward. Developed with TRI's support, it uses simulations, case studies, and leadership training to strengthen grassroots governance.
News18
21-04-2025
- General
- News18
Helicopters Will Hover Over This UP City For 2 Days, Photographing Each House. Here's Why
Last Updated: A helicopter survey in Jhansi will measure building heights using a lidar sensor over two days, covering 161 sq km, as part of the Naksha scheme under Digital India If you spot a helicopter flying over Jhansi in the next two days, do not be alarmed, as this is part of a survey. The helicopter will be airborne over the city for the next 2 days, equipped with a lidar sensor to measure the height of tall buildings from the ground. For this survey, 128 points have been designated within the city, and photographs will be taken covering an area of 161 square kilometres. This marks the second phase of the Naksha scheme. Previously, a helicopter conducted a two-day survey capturing images of every house in the entire metropolis. This initiative, which started in Jhansi, is part of the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme run by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. The objective is to modernise land records. The project has commenced in 8 municipal councils and Nagar Panchayats of the state, including Jhansi and Gorakhpur. During the first phase of the Naksha (National Geospatial Knowledge-Based Land Survey of Urban Habitat) project, an aerial survey was conducted in the city on April 11 and 12. Images were captured from all four directions using an oblique camera, while the Nadir camera took vertical images. The second phase of the survey commenced on Sunday. For this phase, 128 points have been marked in the city, and the helicopter will cover 161 square kilometres over the next two days using a lidar sensor to estimate the height of tall buildings. This data will then be uploaded onto the Survey of India's software. Municipal Commissioner Satya Prakash stated that the second phase of the survey will begin on Sunday. With 128 marked points, the helicopter will cover 161 square kilometres over two days, using the lidar sensor to measure building heights. This data will be uploaded onto the Survey of India's software. Following the aerial survey under the Naksha scheme, comprehensive land details will be compiled. Subsequently, a physical verification will be conducted by teams from the Municipal Corporation and Revenue Department, and the complete land records will be uploaded to the software. First Published:
