Haryana Government decides to confer more financial powers on PRIs

Chandigarh: The Haryana Government has decided to confer more financial powers on the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and strengthen them to accelerate the pace of development in the villages of the state.
For the first time, the state government has appointed independent chief executive officers (CEOs) in zila parishads. Earlier, additional deputy commissioners used to exercise the powers of CEO.
This was disclosed by the Chief Minister, Mr.Manohar Lal, while presiding over a review meeting with officers of Sirsa District Administration, in Sirsa on Sunday. The Chief Minister said the state government was considering a proposal to provide zila parishads budget of Rs 8 to Rs 10 crore, panchayat samitis Rs 2 crore, and gram panchayats up to Rs 30 lakh, each. Besides, it has also been planned to introduce e-Tendering for big projects of panchayats being undertaken by the gram panchayats to maintain transparency in development works. Directing the officers to complete work on the announcements made by him, Mr Manohar Lal said laxity would not be tolerated at the district level. Officers should send proposals on developmental works to the government and turn focus on the completion of ongoing projects. If officers in the districts faced any kind of problem at headquarter level, they may contact the Chief Minister’s Office any time. He also made it clear that public welfare works should not be delayed unnecessarily. If any policy decision is involved, the matter may be forwarded to the state government as a special case.
The Chief Minister congratulated the officers for the improvement in the sex ratio throughout the state under the ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ programme and added that today Haryana is known for saving girls and their empowerment. Officers from other states have been calling their counterparts in Haryana to know the steps that were taken to bring about improvement in the sex ratio. It is a matter of pride that sex ratio in Haryana touched the figure of 950 in March this year, he added. Reviewing the ‘Mhara Gaon, Jagmag Gaon’ Scheme, he said the state government had set the target to provide 24-hour power supply to people by reducing line losses. Presently, electricity is being supplied for 15 to 24 hours on various feeders in the state. He issued directions that the pace of work be accelerated in the third phase of the scheme.
He also asked officers to provide uninterrupted power supply in villages from 7pm to 5 am and to supply electricity for water supply for two hours in the day.