Rajasthan Govt provides 5 Departments control to Panchayats

As a true tribute to the Father of the Nation on his birth anniversary, the Rajasthan government today took a step ahead in realising the Mahatma's dream of ''Gram Swaraj'' and delegated powers to Panchayati Raj institutions over functioning of five departments. The state government has handed over powers to panchayats to govern up to the district level the functioning and activities of Agriculture, Primary Education, Health, Women and Child Development and Social Justice and Empowerment departments, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said. The administrative control over staff concerned with the functioning of these departments and other rural development works up to district level had also been transferred to Panchayats.
Addressing a press conference here Mr Gehlot also announced the early setting up of the State Finance Commission for allocating funds to panchayats. ''The government has also increased the imprest money for day to day expenses from Rs 500 to Rs 10,000 per month for Gram Panchayats and Rs 2,000 to Rs 25,000 per month for Panchayati Samiti. ''The powers for purchase of materials for the works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act(MGNREGA) are also being delegated to gram panchayat,'' Mr Gehlot announced.