Finance CommissionThe Ministry of Rural Development headed by Secretary Amarjeet Sinha, today made a detailed presentation on the Ministry’s plans on fostering higher inclusive growth, equity, efficiency and transparency – to the Chairperson Shri N.K. Singh and Members and senior Officials of the Fifteenth Finance Commission.
The Presentation dwelled upon the changing structure of rural economy; Gram Panchayat led, data driven and accountable development approach; governance reforms for better outcomes and other specific proposals for rural development.
The Ministry made a case for additional resources for Rural India on the account of:-
-Higher/New State Share – PMGSY, PMAY (G).
-Extra Budgetary borrowing – PMAY Gramin.
-Finance Commission transfer.
-Massive rise in loans to SHGs – Rs.81,077 cr.
-Increasing incomes through livelihood thrust – farm ponds, wells, animal sheds/resources.
-Larger effective transfer due to governance reforms – IT/DBT – Decline in leakages.
-Other specific proposals of Rural Development like maintenance of roads, transfer of certain schemes, and Human Resource Reforms.
The presentation also made a case of Government’s Reforms and conversant Growth Panchayat Development:-
-Governance Reform and Convergent Gram Panchayat Development Plans as necessary pre-condition for fund transfers
-Capacity building of Panchayats (along with women SHGs), use of technology, data driven financial management reforms, and geo-tagging as necessary conditions.
-Comprehensive HR as part of recommendations.
-Earmarking for road maintenance.
-Transferring DRDSs to States.
The Commission shall now take into consideration all the issues raised for the purpose of framing its recommendations to the government.
