Panchayat Empowerment and Accountability
Incentive Scheme (PEAIS) is a Central Sector Plan Scheme aimed at (i) incentivization of States
for devolving funds, functions and functionaries (3Fs) to Panchayats and
(ii) incentivization of Panchayats to put in place
accountability systems to make their functioning transparent and
efficient. The scheme is 100% centrally
funded.
Under PEAIS, State
Governments/UTs are ranked on a Devolution Index which measures the extent of
devolution of 3Fs by States to Panchayats.
States are ranked on the DI through a study conducted by an independent
organization. Since 2011-12, best
performing Panchayats in the country have also been incentivized.
The assessment of States
along the DI follows a two stage process. The States that fulfill mandatory
provisions of the Constitution qualify for further assessment on the extent of
devolution. A study has been commissioned to evaluate the performance of States
in 2012-13. The indicators used in the study are given below. The ranking is
under process.
Indicators for Panchayat
Strengthening Index 2012-13
A.
Basic Details of Panchayats
B.
Panchayat Elections
C.
Dissolution and Bye Elections
D.
Constitution & Functions of District
Planning Committee
E.
Role of Panchayats in Parallel
Bodies/Institutions
F.
Autonomy to Panchayats
G.
Functions Assigned to Panchayats and Actual
Involvement of Panchayats
H.
Involvement of Panchayats in Important Schemes
I.
NFC Grants to the Panchayats
J.
State Finance Commission & Fiscal Transfer
to Panchayats
K.
Empowerment of Panchayats to Impose and Collect
Revenue
L.
Fund Availability with Panchayats
M.
Expenditure of Panchayats
N.
Recent Initiatives related to Finance &
Accounts
O.
Accounting & Audit
P.
Social Audit
Q.
Gram Sabha
R.
Transparency and Anti- Corruption
S.
Physical Infrastructure of Panchayats &
e-Connectivity
T.
Panchayat Officials
U.
Training Institutions
V.
Training Activity
W.
Panchayat Assessment
& Incentivization
Indicators related to
social audit have been included in the State level study as well as the model Panchayat level indicators.
Every year model
indicators and questionnaire have been refined by the Ministry. These have been
circulated to all the States/UTs for adoption with suitable modifications. The Ministry held a workshop to consider
improvement on indicators under PEAIS on 11th May, 2012. Two workshops were
held to improve the State level field verification process on 18-19 and 30-31
October, 2012. On 4th – 5th
January, 2013, a workshop was conducted to orient National level field
verification teams.
This
information was given by the Minister of Panchayati Raj Shri V. Kishore Chandra Deo in a written
reply in the Lok Sabha today.
****
PKM/DB