CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu Friday released the basic grant for this year to the Panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) amounting to Rs 79.21 crores as promised earlier.
The amount accounts for 70 per cent of the basic grant to state PRIs, while the rest 30 per cent, which will be performance-based, would be released subsequently after a review of the performances of the PRIs in their respective jurisdictions. Handing over the amount to the concerned department at a function held here by All Arunachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Parishad (AAPPRP) as 'thanksgiving' to the state government, Khandu informed that the grant amount is from the state-owned resource tax revenue.
"Instead of looking for help from the Centre for each and everything, we have allocated Rs 123 crore from our internal resources to PRIs for this year and this is the basic grant we are releasing today," he informed.
Stating that as per the 73rd Constitutional amendment, the State government has decided to devolve power to PRIs on 29 subjects, Khandu called upon PRIs to work with more vigour and energy to take development in rural pockets of the state to a new height.
He said besides the grants from state-owned resources, PRIs would be funded with provisions under the 14th Finance Commission as well as the 15th Finance Commission.
The chief minister revealed that Rs 200 crore has already been released under the 15th Finance Commission for PRIs and the balance of Rs 800 crore will be released by the Commission spread over the next five years provided utilization certificates are submitted as required and on time.
Khandu observed that guided by the SPICE (Sustainable, Participative, Inclusive, Comprehensive and Empowerment) module, PRIs must be able to successfully function as institutions of self-government and accelerate development at the grassroots levels.
"There is no dearth of funds. What we lack is coordinated and synchronized efforts," he said and urged all stakeholders including local MLA, PRIs, the district administration, and concerned departments to coordinate with each other in the implementation of developmental projects at the panchayat levels.
Khandu further emphasized on 'convergence' of different schemes and programs for the overall development of rural areas.
"We are committed to empowering PRIs with the 3 Fs – functions, functionaries and funds," he said.
Asserting that officials in the districts have a big role to play, Khandu urged them to go the extra mile in assisting and guiding PRI members to avail government schemes for the development of the villages.
He also requested Zilla Parishad Chairpersons (ZPCs) to periodically review projects in their respective districts with PRI members and officials concerned and advised them to personally visit work sites and keep themselves updated with every project.
The chief minister lauded that out of a total of 241 ZPMs, 90 are women while of the 25 ZPCs, 13 are women.
"Role of women in development at the grassroots level is significant. With such a huge presence in the PRI, there's no doubt that our villages and villagers are in good hands. I hope this is replicated in the coming assembly elections and we witness a significant increase in women legislators in our Assembly," Khandu said.
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