Parliamentary Panel emphasizes on providing proper training to elected representatives of panchayats

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Panchayati Raj Institutions in its report on 'Capacity Building of Panchayati Raj Institutions' has stated that training infrastructure for elected representatives of panchayats across the country is "thoroughly inadequate which includes as many as 29 lakhs elected representatives of panchayats, of which 10 lakhs are women.
The committee has recommended that the Ministry of Panchayati Raj constitutes an expert committee to expand the present training network.
Citing examples of various states, it said for 50 districts and 3.96 lakh elected representatives in Madhya Pradesh, there is only State Institute for Rural Development (SIRD), seven Panchayat training centres and six Extension Training Centres (ETC).
In Bihar, there is only one SIRD and three ETCs for 1.3 lakh representatives, it said.
The committee also expressed disapproval of the absence of any system of evaluation of the training imparted to the elected members.
The ministry gave an assurance to the committee that Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Abhiyan would address these issues.
The goals of the RGPSA are to enhance capacities and effectiveness of Panchayats and the Gram Sabhas; Enable democratic decision-making and accountability in Panchayats and promote people’s participation; Strengthen the institutional structure for knowledge creation and capacity building of Panchayats; Promote devolution of powers and responsibilities to Panchayats according to the spirit of the Constitution and PESA Act; Strengthen Gram Sabhas to function effectively as the basic forum of people’s participation, transparency and accountability within the Panchayat system; Create and strengthen democratic local self-government in areas where Panchayats do not exist; and Strengthen the constitutionally mandated framework on which Panchayats are founded.