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Haryana panchayats get more funds

Special Correspondent

Rs. 50 crore to strengthen Panchayati Raj

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government has released Rs. 50 crores to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the State, Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dharmbir Singh said here on Tuesday.

He said that the third State Finance Commission has been constituted to improve the financial health of the Panchayati Raj Institutions. The State Government had also decided to award those Panchayats which had worked best in the overall development of the villages. The Panchayats which would be adjudged first, second and third would be given a cash prize of Rs. 20 lakhs, Rs. 15 lakhs and Rs. 10 lakhs respectively.

Those panchayats would also be rewarded which have ensured 100 per cent payment of the outstanding electricity bills in their villages and complete cleanliness and toilets in each house.

Mr. Singh disclosed that the administrative and financial powers of 10 important departments had been delegated to the Panchayati Raj Institutions. These departments included Food and Supplies, Health Services, Public Health, Social Justice and Empowerment, Irrigation, Animal Husbandry, Education, Women and Child Development, Agriculture and Forests.

And to further empower the Sarpanches, their cash in hand limit had been increased from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 10,000 and they were also being given Rs. 1,000 per month for hospitality expenses. Similarly, the honorarium of Presidents of Zila Parishads had been increased from Rs. 3,000 to 4,000 and those of Vice- Presidents from Rs. 2,500 to Rs. 3,000 and Presidents of Panchayat Samitis from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000, he added.

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Haryana panchayats get more funds

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