Latest news with #Panchayats
Indian Express
29-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
‘Take urgent steps to reverse this trend': Parliamentary panel flags decline in funding to rural local bodies, asks Centre to act
A parliamentary panel has flagged the 'steady decline in the allocation of funds to Panchayati Raj Institutions' and urged the Centre to take 'urgent steps' to ensure that adequate, untied, and performance-linked funds are allocated to rural local bodies. It said that failing to do so would, among other things, 'hamper their credibility as self-governing institutions'. In its report, the Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj said, 'The Committee notes with concern that there has been a steady decline in the allocation of funds to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) under successive Union Budgets in recent years. This trend undermines the very foundation of fiscal decentralisation envisioned under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and weakens the capacity of Panchayats to effectively discharge their constitutionally mandated responsibilities.' The committee headed by Congress member Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka said that the reduction in untied and scheme-based transfers 'not only restricts the ability of PRIs to address local developmental needs' but also hampers their credibility. 'In the absence of predictable and adequate financial support, Panchayats struggle to undertake essential functions related to basic service delivery, infrastructure creation, livelihood generation, and social welfare implementation,' it said. 'The Committee recommends that the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in consultation with the Ministry of Finance and the Fifteenth Finance Commission, take urgent steps to reverse this trend and ensure that adequate, untied, and performance-linked resources are allocated to PRIs,' states the report titled 'Devolution of Funds under Panchayati Raj System'. 'Additionally, mechanisms should be developed to ring-fence PRI funds, prevent diversion by state departments, and promote transparency in inter-tier fiscal transfers,' it said. Observing that since the regular constitution of the State Finance Commission is necessary for the devolution of funds to PRIs from state finances, the committee also recommended that the Panchayati Raj ministry take up this matter at the highest level and impress upon the state governments to constitute State Finance Commissions regularly without any delay so that the flow of central grants is not stopped or minimised. The committee further noted that, as per the information provided by the ministry, only 25 states have constituted SFCs, and only nine have constituted 6th SFC. 'It is disheartening to note that some States have not even constituted 3rd, 4th and 5th SFC,' it said. Pointing out that Punjab and Tamil Nadu have shown good compliance with regard to 'constitution of SFC, report submission and laying of ATRs [action taken reports]', the committee said that states like Arunachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh have delays or pending submission of reports and ATRs. 'Gujarat, Jharkhand and Telangana are in an early stage with reports yet to be submitted,' it said. Harikishan Sharma, Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express' National Bureau, specializes in reporting on governance, policy, and data. He covers the Prime Minister's Office and pivotal central ministries, such as the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Ministry of Cooperation, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ministry of Rural Development, and Ministry of Jal Shakti. His work primarily revolves around reporting and policy analysis. In addition to this, he authors a weekly column titled "STATE-ISTICALLY SPEAKING," which is prominently featured on The Indian Express website. In this column, he immerses readers in narratives deeply rooted in socio-economic, political, and electoral data, providing insightful perspectives on these critical aspects of governance and society. ... Read More
The Hindu
13-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
349 camps to be held in Virudhunagar district under 'Ungaludan Stalin' programme
A total of 349 camps would be held in Virudhunagar district under Ungaludan Stalin programme. In a statement, Virudhunagar Collector N.O. Sukhaputra said that the 229 camps would be held in 11 panchayat union areas and 120 camps would be held in urban areas like Sivakasi Corporation, five municipalities and nine Town Panchayats. The camps in urban areas would deal with 43 services offered by 13 departments and in rural areas with 46 services offered by 15 departments. As a prelude to this camp, volunteers would make door-to-door distribution of pamphlets on the scheme along with application forms. The volunteers would interact with the people and explain to them about the welfare schemes that would help them and encourage them to participate in the camps. The camps would be held from July 15 to November 7. The inaugural day camps would be held at six places in Amanakkunatham panchayat in Aruppukottai block, Kelakeppylingampatti in Kariyapatti block, Maraiyur in Narikudi block, Ward 1 in Sivakasi Corporation, Ward 1 in Srivilliputtur municipality, the statement said.
Hans India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Odisha govt run by billionaires, says Rahul
Bhubaneswar: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the BJP government in Odisha of handing over the State's land, water, forests and other resources to a handful of billionaires. Addressing the party's 'Samvidhan Bachao Samavesh' at Baramunda Ground here, Rahul, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, said the current government does not belong to the people, but to industrialists like Adani and a few other billionaires who, he claimed, are now running the State government. Rahul claimed that it was evident Adani is running the BJP government in Odisha citing the instance of when Lord Jagannath's chariot was allegedly stopped during the Puri Rath Yatra for the Adani family. 'Jal, Jangal, Jamin' belong to the tribals and will remain for them, Rahul said, adding that Odisha's BJP government has "not implemented" the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP making attempts to hijack elections in Bihar as it did in Maharashtra, alleges Rahul Gandhi
Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused the BJP of making attempts to "hijack upcoming elections in Bihar, as it did in Maharashtra ". Addressing the party's ' Samvidhan Bachao Samavesh ' here, he said the INDIA bloc parties have decided to prevent the BJP from "hijacking" the Bihar assembly polls. "Like Maharashtra, attempts are being made to hijack the elections in Bihar. The BJP is attacking our Constitution across the country," Gandhi alleged. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo During an INDIA bloc meeting held on Thursday, it was decided to "prevent the BJP from hijacking the elections in Bihar" where assembly polls are due later this year, he claimed. He also accused the Election Commission of India of "not doing its duty, but working for the interest of the BJP". Live Events Gandhi also alleged, "The BJP runs the government for five-six capitalists. It does not work for the common people of the country." Stating that the "Jal, Jangal, Jamin" belongs to the tribals and will remain for them, Gandhi claimed that Odisha's BJP government has not implemented the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996. "Forest right pattas are not provided to the tribals. The Congress has brought the PESA and Tribal Bill. We will enforce these laws and ensure the tribals get their land," Gandhi said.
New Indian Express
01-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Union Bank of India to implement three-month financial inclusion drive in Vijayawada
VIJAYAWADA: The Union Bank of India (UBI) has announced the rollout of a nationwide three-month Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign, set to run from July 1 to September 30, 2025. Initiated by the Department of Financial Services, Government of India, the campaign aims to ensure that financial services reach every eligible citizen, with a focus on empowerment through access to banking, insurance, pension, and digital tools. The campaign will emphasise complete coverage under key schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY), PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), and the Atal Pension Yojana (APY). It will also facilitate re-KYC updates for older and inactive accounts and raise awareness about digital frauds and claims related to unclaimed deposits. Nationwide, special financial camps will be held in all 2.7 lakh Gram Panchayats. In Andhra Pradesh, 13,324 Gram Panchayats will be covered. The campaign will be monitored daily by the State-Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC) and district-level Lead Bank Managers. As of now, Andhra Pradesh has recorded 1.70 crore PMJDY accounts, 0.38 crore APY subscribers, 2.86 crore PMSBY enrolments, and 1.29 crore under PMJJBY.
