Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said the implementation of the Centrally sponsored Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA) would go a long way in strengthening grassroots governance in the State, enhance accountability and increase the space for people’s participation, especially women. Chairing the first steering committee meeting of RGPSA at his office chamber here today, Chief Minister Gogoi advocated the need for providing the panchayats with adequate technical and administrative support, strengthening of infrastructure and e–governance, regular meetings of the gram sabha to strengthen Panchayati Raj in the State. Minister for Panchayat & Rural Development, Rakibul Hussain said the objectives of the RGPSA are to enhance capacities and effectiveness of gram panchayats and gram sabhas; enable democratic decision–making and ensure accountability in panchayats and promote people’s participation; strengthen the institutional structure for knowledge creation and capacity building of panchayats; promote devolution of powers and responsibilities to panchayats according to the spirit of the Constitution. Rakibul said that the department has initiated a slew of measures aimed at enhancing capacity building and effectiveness of panchayats and gram sabhas through RGPSA. “Strengthening the institutional structure for knowledge creation and capacity building of panchayats is one of the main goals of RGPSA,” said Hussain. Rs 12.43 crore has been sanctioned for capacity building of PRIs. A State Panchayat Resource Centre will be set up by SIRD at Kahikuchi. Commissioner, Panchayat & Rural Development, KK Dwivedi, said the department would start construction of 46 new buildings of gaon panchayats sanctioned by the Central Government in the first phase. Dwivedi said the State Government would propose an annual plan outlay of Rs 150 crore for the year 2014–15 and it includes construction of 314 new gaon panchayat buildings, engagement of 247 posts of panchayat development officers, 2202 posts of panchayat sahayaks, 2202 junior engineers at gaon panchayat level on contractual basis. The Commissioner said the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has sanctioned 2202 posts of accountant–cum– computer operator at the rate of 1 post for each gaon panchayat. 2202 computers have also been sanctioned by the Government of India for gaon panchayats of Assam. Three block development units would also be set up in each block. In the meeting the progress of RGPSA for the financial year 2013–14 in accordance with the Annual Action Plan was discussed threadbare. The meeting decided to conduct Social Audit in respect to all schemes of Panchayat & Rural Development Department. Presently Social Audit is done for MGNREGA Scheme. Proposal for awareness creation, women participation, capacity building of PRIs, e–Governance in panchayats were also approved. Discussion also included on the Five Year Perspective Plan of Rs 650 crore approximately for strengthening of panchayats by providing better infrastructure, manpower, training etc.. The strengthening of State Election Commission also figured in the meeting. This was stated in a press release.
Posted on: Fri, 19 Dec 2014 05:55:24 +0000