Panchayat Raj Minister Jupally Krishna Rao today urged 15th Finance Commission to release more funds on priority basis for rural development. He attended the meeting of Panchayat Raj ministers of all States chaired by Union Rural Development Minister Narendra Singh Tomar in Delhi.
Talking to mediapersons later, Krishna Rao urged the Centre to double 14th finance commission funds for rural development. “We have urged that the States should have freedom to use funds based on development needs and sought decentralization of powers to the States to develop villages. He said Telangana has set up new mandals and districts and will set up more village panchayats and the Centre should increase funds allocation to strengthen them, he said.
The minister expressed concern that the funds being offered by the Centre were not enough to take up several schemes in the villages. There was a need for three-tier system of funds. Central funds from State, district and mandals, he said. Direct disbursal of funds from the Centre to villages was leading to destabilize the mandal system, the minister felt.
As rural development is a must for all-round development of the States, the Centre has to release more funds to districts, mandals and villages and for laying CC roads and under-ground drainage and Swachch drive with a focus on greenery expansion. He also sought more funds for employment guarantee scheme and immediate release of material component funds. (NSS)