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Ministry of Panchayati Raj will soon be equipping 2.4 lakh Panchayats in the country with computer hardware interlinking them with one another and forming a National Panchayat Portal. At least two people with computer operating skills in each Gram Panchayats will be associated with the functioning of Panchayats. The Ministry will enter into an MOU with the State Governments in this regard with a target of completing the work of computerization within a period of two years. Approximately 35 to 40 per cent Panchayats will be covered in the first year. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will also set up an Empowered Committee with invitees from relevant fields for the implementation of the programme of computerization. This emerged at the Second Meeting of the Committee of Chief Secretaries and Principal Secretaries (Panchayati Raj) of States and Union Territories here yesterday under the Chairmanship of Shri Wajahat Habibullah, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
Shri Habibullah urged State Governments and Union Territory Administrations to expedite constitution of District Planning Committees (DPCs) in all districts on a priority basis. Funds to augment income of Panchayats will be allocated to States on the recommendation of the Central Finance Commission based on the consolidated plans of DPCs . The Eleventh Finance Commission has recommend grants of Rs. 8000 crore for PRIs for the period of 2000-05, the Secretary pointed out.
Shri Habibullah expressed satisfaction that the States and Union Territories had made considerable progress in activity mapping and urged them to complete the work as early as possible. On the level of income generation by Panchayats the Secretary said that though the income remained low at present, it could be raised to desirable levels through appropriate measures.
The meeting was organized for reviewing the progress of implementation of activity mapping by State Governments involving devolution of functions, finances and functionaries; status of preparation of district plans by the District Planning Committees; field position of IT (Information Technology) enabling of Panchayats in States and Union Territories and the status of audit and accounts of Panchayats.
SBK:CP:panchayats30.6
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