Gamini SinglaAIR 3 · CSE 2021 · 222 wordsTheir whole copy
Opening · a constitutional or legal provision
73rd and 74th constitutional Amendment Acts, 1992 gave an impetus to decentralisation, in coherence with Article 40 of constitution PRIs were granted a constitutional status.
But lack of effective devolution of finances is a major hindrance in their working.
Body · points
Effective devolution → Important Requirement
Need to upgrade infrastructure eg Panchayat buildings, digital devices
Meet the day-to-day working requirements eg funds for carrying out social Audits
Funds are needed to facilitate transportation and ground level visits
To conduct Gram sabha meetings
To carry out community development projects eg const of ponds, public spaces
Disaster management activities eg shelter belts to prevent floods
Thus, PRIs need funds to fulfill their basic responsibilities
Reasons behind lack of financial resources
Lack of effective devolution from States
Many states have yet not constituted the State finance commission that reccomends the sharing of net proceeds of taxes
Tied nature of funds eg: only scheme related ie no freedom to use it for other purposes
Lack of devolution of functions and taxation powers to PRIs - as mandated under Article 243.
Hesitation of PRIs to mobilise resources by taxing their own people
Lack of awareness about their taxation powers
Close · a vision
Proper access to funding is essential to facilitate the Gandhian dream of democratic decentralisation and bottom up approach.
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