The Planning Commission is considering a proposal to earmark 1% of rural development outlay for strengthening panchayats in the country, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Panchayati Raj Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo said during Question Hour that the Rural Development and Drinking Water and Sanitation Minister has suggested to the Planning Commission that 1% of the outlay for rural development should be earmarked for strengthening panchayats.
Deo said discussion was in progress with the Planning Commission in this regard. He also said it has been agreed "in-principal" to allocate the 1% fund for strengthening panchayats.
Deo said of the total 2.40 lakh panchayats in the country, 60,000 did not even have buildings.
When he stated that of the total elected representative, one-third were women, Ishwar Singh (Cong) said a large number of women panchayat members were being remote-controlled by men.
