News Brief
Government To Unveil A Devolution Index, Ranking States On Panchayat Empowerment, Financial Autonomy, And Local Governance Reforms
Government To Unveil A Devolution Index, Ranking States On Panchayat Empowerment, Financial Autonomy, And Local Governance Reforms (Representative Image)
Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, S P Singh Baghel, will release the Devolution Index Report 2024 on 13 February, providing key insights into the progress of decentralization across States and Union Territories, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj announced on Tuesday (11 February), reported The Economic Times.
Titled "Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States — An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking 2024," the report marks a significant milestone in India's efforts to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and realise the vision of Local Self-Government, as outlined in the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
Assessing Panchayat Independence and Governance
The Devolution Index, developed through detailed research and empirical analysis, evaluates six key dimensions framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity building, and accountability.
It aims to assess the extent of autonomy given to Panchayats in decision-making and governance, reflecting the true intent of Article 243G of the Constitution. This article empowers State legislatures to devolve powers and responsibilities to Panchayats across 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule.
A Roadmap for Strengthening Local Governance
The report will also serve multiple stakeholders:
Citizens: Ensuring transparency in Panchayat functioning and resource allocation.
Elected Representatives: Offering data-driven insights for advocacy and reforms.
Government Officials: Acting as a policy roadmap for effective decentralisation strategies.
Policymakers: Helping assess the overall health of local governance and pinpointing areas requiring urgent reforms.
