Bihar govt to strengthen panchayati raj institutions

With an aim to strengthen Panchayati raj institutions in Bihar, the state government has decided to constitute independent monitoring committee for technical assessment of development works in addition to formulating rules for taxation at the grassroot level, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said today.
Kumar said this in a suo motu statement on steps taken to strengthen panchayati raj institutions in the state.
Due to din created in the state Assembly by the opposition BJP, the CM could not read the statement and asked Speaker Udai Narayan Chaudhary to lay it in the House.
Giving details of steps taken to make panchayati institutions strong, the CM said Independent monitoring committee would be set up for carrying technical evaluation of the development works done through such institutions.

For ensuring financial independence of panchayati raj institutions, the CM said rules would be formulated soon for collection of taxes at three layers.
District level training centres are being built for horning talent of panchayat workers.

"Panchayat training centre is going to start in 20 districts without any further delay," the CM said.
Responsibility would be fixed on departmental officials for efficient running of works under panchayati raj institutions, he added.
From next financial year every village panchayat would be allowed to spend a sum of Rs 4,000 for convening meeting properly.
Panchayat samiti and district board would have an effective role in implementation of MGNREGA scheme in the state, the CM said.