Karnataka has been ranked first in devolution of power to panchayats in terms of funds, functions and functionaries followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, a report by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) and ministry of panchayati raj stated on Thursday.
Top six states got their rankings on the basis of index scores of Karnataka (72.23), Kerala (70.59), Tamil Nadu (68.38), Maharashtra (61.44) and Uttar Pradesh (60.8) and Gujarat (58.26), according to the report titled “Status of devolution to panchayat in states: an indicative evidence based ranking”.
The scores highlight a significant gap between the top three states and the rest.
In terms of those states which had scored over 50 points include – Tripura (57.58), Rajasthan (56.67), West Bengal (56.52), Chhattisgarh (56.26), Telangana (55.1), Andhra Pradesh (54.43), Himachal Pradesh (53.17), Madhya Pradesh (50.94) and Odisha (50.03) respectively.
Bihar (48.24) along with the northeastern and hilly states of Assam (49.06), Sikkim (43.91), and Uttarakhand (49.11) emerged as moderate scorers but with values above the national average of 43.89.
States and union territories which have scored low are Goa (37.71), Haryana (39.33), Jharkhand (27.73) and Punjab (29.34).
The report has stated that devolution to panchayats has increased from 39.9% to 43.9% during 2013-14 to 2021-22.
States were ranked in the several parameters including functions assigned to panchayats, fifteenth finance commission grants and ability to impose and collect revenues and physical infrastructure, staff and e-connectivity.
Accounting and audit of village level institutions and functioning of gram sabha was also taken into consideration. The dimension of ‘finances’ was a major indicator of measurement carrying the maximum weightage in the index.
The study assesses the enabling environment that the states have created for the panchayats to function as institutions of self-government. Article 243 G of the constitutions has stipulated states to assign local functions to Panchayats enabling them to act as institutions of self -governments.
“The Index encourages transparency and informs us about where resources and services are being allocated effectively, ultimately leading to better governance and services,” according to an official note.
The aim of the report was to assess the actual progress in implementing the operative core of decentralization covering the transfer of functions, institutions, functionaries, and finances to panchayati raj institutions in the subjects listed in the 11th schedule of the constitution in comparison to mapping of the activities done by states including panchayats extension to scheduled areas (PESA) States.
The study also aims to examine the role of the panchayats as institutions of local self-government with various committees and managing institutions at the local level.
The study also assessed the role of panchayats in implementation of central schemes including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employmnet Gurantee Act, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Integrated Child Development Services and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.