Gujarat govt braces up to improve state ranking in Panchayati Raj, rural development

GANDHINAGAR: Chief minister Vijay Rupani-led Gujarat BJP government has decided to improve the state’s poor all India rank in the implementation of the Panchyayati Raj Institutions(PRIs) schemes and rural development, besideing strengthening rural public administration. On day two of the Chintan Shibir at Vadodara, chief minister Vijay Rupani, cabinet ministers and other senior and junior IAS officers had a brainstorming session on the topic.

With Gujarat ranking 10th in the implementation of the Panchayati Raj Institution(PRIs), the government discussed possible ways and action to improve that.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, government of India, has evolved a Devolution Index and ranks the states with regard to devolution of funds, functions and functionaries to the PRIs. As per the latest Devolution Index of the government of India, Gujarat stands at No. 10. Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Sikkim, WB, Odisha, and Tripura are ahead of Gujarat as per the Devolution Index.

Before the 73rd amendment of the Constitution of India and after the inception of the PRIs, 14 of the important 29 subjects listed in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution stood transferred to the PRIs and were very much within their jurisdiction. These includes agriculture including agriculture extension, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, rural housing, drinking water, roads, culverts, bridge, ferries, water ways, Fuel (energy) and fodder, minor forest produce, poverty alleviation programmes, Market and fairs, health and sanitation including PHCs and dispensaries, Family welfare, women and child development, welfare of the weaker sections and in particular of the SCs and STs.

Comparative Statement of Ranking of States on Devolution Index

Name of State Rank
Kerala 1
Karnataka 2
Maharashtra 3
Tamil Nadu 4
Pondicherry 4
Telangana 5
Sikkim 6
West Bengal 7
Odisha 8
Tripura 9
Gujarat 10