Half of Uttarakhand's budget to be given to panchayat bodies: Rawat

Says he wants to give more powers and funds to panchayats

Seeking a couple of years more for economic consolidation of Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Tuesday said he would allocate half of the state's budget to panchayat bodies once this goal is achieved.

At a meeting with panchayat representatives, Rawat said he wanted to give more powers and funds to panchayats. State Panchayati Raj Minister Pritam Singh said a state Panchayati Raj Act is in final stages of being drafted and asked the chief minister to provide a vehicle to each block pramukh (chief) to tour areas under his jurisdiction to take stock of the problems of the people.

"Give me at least one and half years more for economic consolidation of Uttarakhand. Once it is done, I assure you that half of the funds meant for the state will be given to the panchayats," he said.

He said panchayat bodies should play a larger role in the implementation of the Centre- and state-sponsored schemes.

Underlining the importance of panchayat bodies in the development of the state, he said Uttarakhand's growth over the next five years will depend upon how effectively the capabilities of its panchayat bodies are utilised during the period.

Pritam Singh asked the chief minister to transfer 29 subjects to panchayats as per the provisions of the Indian Constitution, saying this will redress many of the complaints voiced by panchayat representatives at the meeting.