Rural Local Bodies
Context:
• The Vice President, Shri M Venkaiah Naidu recently called for devolving 3Fs—Funds, Functions and Functionaries to empower rural local bodies for their holistic growth and to achieve national development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Background:
• The Vice President mentioned about the increase in the allocation of the funds to the rural local bodies.
• It was raised from Rs.100 per capita per annum in the 10th Finance Commission to Rs.674 per capita per annum in the 15th Finance Commission.
• Given that nearly 70% of India is rural India (68.84% as per the 2011 census), attainment of Sustainable Development Goals at the national level will require actions at the grassroots of villages.
• Women constitute 46 percent of the 31.65 lakh elected representatives of the rural local bodies in the country.
About:
• Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) is a system of rural local self-government in India.
• Given the fact that more than 60 percent of the population lives in the rural India it is very important that there is devolution of powers to the ground level.
• This institution of Panchayat also guarantees democracy at the grass root level, thereby strengthening democratic principles.
• Panchayati Raj Institution PRI was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to build democracy at the grass roots level and was entrusted with the task of rural development in the country.
Source: THE HINDU.
