Panchayat secretary serves 4–5 bodies, affecting service delivery

Who it concerns: Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Governments, and Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) including Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zila Parishads.

What the committee found

• The Committee observed that devolution of functions, finances, and functionaries to PRIs is uneven across states, with PRIs often acting as implementing agencies for state governments rather than autonomous bodies.
• The Committee recommended the Ministry of Panchayati Raj institutionalise a comprehensive review framework to periodically rank states across six dimensions: framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity enhancement, and accountability.
• The Committee recommended the Ministry formulate a roadmap for next-generation reforms focusing on deepening democratic decentralisation, strengthening institutional capacity and financial sustainability, ensuring digital governance, and increasing citizen participation.
• The Committee noted that Panchayats are dependent on grants with limited ability to raise own revenue, limiting their autonomy.
• The Committee recommended a strategy to strengthen own-source revenue, timely constitution of State Finance Commissions, and performance-based incentives for enhancing own revenue and financial management.
• The Committee observed that powers are concentrated at the Gram Panchayat level, leaving block and district Panchayats with limited authority, which adversely affects integrated planning.
• The Committee recommended that block and district plans consolidate gaps identified in Gram Panchayat Development Plans and that states follow prescribed grant-sharing ratios across tiers.
• The Committee observed that one Panchayat secretary often serves four to five Panchayats, adversely affecting service delivery.
• The Committee recommended the creation of dedicated Panchayat cadres and the phased provision of one dedicated Panchayat secretary for each Gram Panchayat.
• The Committee observed that while women constitute nearly half of elected representatives, proxy representation remains widespread.
• The Committee recommended strict enforcement of the advisory against proxy representation and dedicated training and mentoring for women representatives.
• The Committee observed that Gram Sabha meetings are becoming largely ceremonial with declining public participation.
• The Committee recommended using digital platforms, social mobilisation, and awareness campaigns to increase participation, along with periodic assessment of Gram Sabha functioning quality.

Also in the document

• The Committee noted that one Panchayat secretary often serves four to five Panchayats, which adversely affects service delivery.
• The Committee observed that Gram Sabha meetings are becoming largely ceremonial in many areas, with declining public participation.
• The Committee noted that a share of the 16th Finance Commission grants is linked to performance in raising own revenue.