Realizing the importance of the financial empowerment of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs), the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) and National Institute of Rural Development and Panchyati Raj (NIRDPR), jointly organised a national workshop themed ‘Own Sources of Revenue’ for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) on September 13 and 14 at NIRDPR Rajendranagar, Hyderabad.
Earlier, in view of the importance of OSR, The MOPR, GoI has constituted an expert committee under the Chairmanship of Dr.Bala Prasad, Special Secretary (Rtd), MoPR, GoI. The Committee has submitted the draft report upon which a two day workshop was organized at NIRDPR Hyderabad.
Going into detail, the 73rd amendment of the Constitution of India introduced a uniform structure of three tiers development of Panchayats for achieving Economic Development and Social Justice. And, being the centre of Rural Governance, the Gram Panchayats have to play a major role in fulfilling the objectives. However, Gram Panchayats are facing resource constraints to fulfil these aspirations. There is an urgent need to enhance the Own Source of Revenues (OSR) of Panchayats in the larger interest of the country in general and rural people in particular.
In this context the Panchayati Raj System of India, constitutes a provision for planning by Panchayats and OSR with initiatives like Gram Panchayat Development Plan, Block Development Plan, District Development Plan, Peoples’ Plan Campaign, Localising Sustainable Development Goals, SVAMITVA, Disaster Management Plan and need of increasing OSR and past efforts.
Own sources of revenue occupies an important place in the domain of finances of the Gram Panchayats as it makes them self-sustainable and also accountable to its citizens. Further, it serves as the existence of a local taxation system which ensures peoples’ involvement in the affairs of an elected body.
The workshop was inaugurated by Dr.Chandra Shekhar Kumar, IAS, Additional Secretary, MoPR while Dr.Anjan Kumar Bhanja, Head Centre for Panchyati Raj welcomed the gathering.
While speaking at the inaugural session Dr.Chandra Shekhar Kumar, IAS, emphasized the importance of OSR and the role of Gram panchayats in the context of financial empowerment of Panchayats. Dr.G.Narendra Kumar IAS, Director General, NIRDPR delivered a keynote address and suggested ways for enhancing the OSR.
In his address, he emphasized on finding innovative ways to find potential of tax and non-tax revenue for the GPs. Further He stressed on finding renewable resources of energy efficiency in which GP can earn money and save the environment. Rural Local Bodies need to enhance the quality of their basic services. The capability of the elected representatives and Panchayat functionaries of the Rural Local Bodies needs to be strengthened through regular capacity building programmes. Dr.Bala Prasad, Chairman, OSR Committee briefed the Objectives and recommendations of the OSR Draft Report. Shri.Vijaya Kumar, Deputy Secretary, MoPR, GoI proposed Vote of thanks at the end of the programme. The Programme was coordinated by Dr.R.Chinnadurai & Dr.Pratyusna Patnaik, Centre for Panchayati Raj, Decentralized Planning and Social Service Delivery, NIRDPR Hyderabad.
Dr.Anjan Kumar Bhanja, Head, Centre for Panchyati Raj welcomed the gathering. The workshop was inaugurated by Dr.Chandra Shekhar Kumar IAS, Additional Secretary, MoPR. In the Inaugural Session Dr.Chandra Shekhar Kumar IAS highlighted the importance of Own Sources of Revenue (OSR) and the role of Gram panchayats in the context of financial empowerment of Panchayats.
Dr.G.Narendra Kumar IAS, Director General, NIRDPR delivered a keynote address and suggested ways for enhancing the OSR. Dr.Bala Prasad, Chairman, OSR Committee briefed the Objectives and recommendations of the OSR Draft Report. Deputy Secretary, MoPR, GoI Vijaya Kumar proposed vote of thanks at the end of the programme that coordinated by Dr.R.Chinnadurai and Dr.Pratyusna Patnaik Centre for Panchayati Raj, Decentralized Planning and Social Service Delivery, NIRDPR Hyderabad.
