Himachal Pradesh committed to strengthen panchayati raj institutions: Minister

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government is fully committed to strengthen panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) and there is no question of diluting the powers of its representatives, state minister Anil Sharma said today.

"Claims by BJP leaders that the powers of elected representatives of panchayati raj institutions had been curtailed are misleading, false and politically motivated," he said in a release here.

The state Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister said the fact is that as per recommendations of 14th Finance Commission, funds are being directly transferred to the panchayats as no provision had been made by the Centre for providing funds to zila parishads or panchayat samitis.

The commission had clearly directed that the funds would be provided to the gram panchayats which would be utilised for providing basic amenities to the people as per defined norms. The panchayats had been asked to prepare annual plan, he said.

Sharma said that the state government had repeatedly requested the Centre to amend the recommendations of the panel and make provisions for devolution of funds to Zila Parishads and Panchayat Samitis as well but the request had not yet been acceded to.