Nitish gives more power to zilla parishads

After scrapping the MLA local area development fund,the Bihar government has come up with a unique move to give more powers to local representatives

After scrapping the MLA local area development fund,the Bihar government has come up with a unique move to give more powers to local representatives. For the first time since the implementation of the Panchayati Raj Act,the state government has given zilla parishads the top layer of the three-tier local governance body power to approve annual plans for districts from 2011-12. Though the implementation of the schemes will still rest with the district authorities and state government agencies,zilla parishads will now have supervisory powers.

In all probability,Bihar will be the first state to start entitlement-based planning. This will be formally announced next month in the presence of Planning Commission representatives. The state government will ask zilla parishads to prepare their department-wise development plans. Though a district magistrate is permanent member of zilla parishad,it is finally the parishad chairperson and members,all political appointees,who will have the final say in the preparation of district plans as per financial entitlements from the Central and state governments.

Planning and Development Principal Secretary Vijay Prakash said,The objective is to know the needs of people from the bottom level. Now,a district tells us about its needs as per its entitlement of the Central and state government schemes. Asked if it would minimise the DMs role after CM Area Scheme entrusted more powers to engineers,he said it was only about reaching out to the last needy person.

Story continues below this ad

Prakash said his department has received annual district plans for 2011-12 from all 38 districts. The best part of the exercise was how a Naxal-affected district planned its health,education and social welfare schemes, he said. Citing example of Naxal-hit Gaya,he said the district planned Rs 5,758.5 lakh for road construction,Rs 21,424 lakh for rural roads,Rs 3,000 lakh for elementary and adult education,Rs 2,081 lakh for development of SC/STs,and Rs 6,070 lakh for social security and welfare.

We are now in a better position to know where to spend more and where to deduct from. Planning at zila parishad end will ensure equal distribution of welfare schemes and help curb corruption, he claimed.

Tags:
Panchayati Raj Act

Yogi Adityanath, Shri Ramswaroop Memorial University, police lathicharge, police lathicharge students, Indian express news, current affairs

In a major step, UP prohibits caste-based political rallies, public signs

Cities1 hr ago

Uttar Pradesh government bans caste-based political rallies and markings, stressing on national unity and inclusive system. The ruling BJP and opposition to be affected ahead of assembly elections. Chief Secretary orders action against those inciting conflict through caste-based displays and protests.

View all shorts

Live Blog