Guj govt yet to transfer all 29 functions to PRIs: CAG

Gandhinagar, Aug 23 (PTI) The CAG has observed that eventhough the Gujarat government has powers to entrust 29functions to panchayati raj institutions (PRIs), it was yet totransfer 10 of these functions, including land improvement andland reforms, to these local self-governing bodies. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) in itsaudit report for 2014-15 on local bodies, tabled today in theAssembly, also said that despite the formation of districtplanning committees (DPCs) in 23 districts, not a singlemeeting was held during the year. Citing the 73rd amendment to the Constitution, the CAGsaid it was made in order to transfer 29 functions listed inthe 11th schedule of the Constitution to the PRIs. "Article 243G of the Constitution empowered the statelegislature to decide and confer powers and responsibilitiesto the PRIs. As per the Gujarat Panchayats Act, the stategovernment may entrust 29 functions to the PRIs to prepare andimplement schemes relating to economic development and socialjustice," the report said. "However, the government has devolved 14 functions fullyand five functions partially to PRIs. Ten functions have notbeen devolved, as on February 2016," the report said. These 14 functions include, agriculture, minor irrigation,family welfare and rural housing. Partially devolved functionsinclude primary and secondary education, adult and non-formaleducation and social welfare. Functions, which have not yet been conferred to the PRIsinclude land improvement and land reforms, small scaleindustry, rural electrification, technical training,libraries, Khadi, village and cottage industry and publicdistribution system, among others. "This way, the spirit of the Constitutional amendment forthe PRIs to function as grass root level local self governmentinstitutions has not been fulfilled in substantial measure,"the report said. MORE PTI PJT PD NPZMNJMF