Noting that the training infrastructure for elected representatives of panchayats across the country is “thoroughly inadequate,” a parliamentary panel has suggested constitution of an expert committee to expand the current capacity.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Panchayati Raj Institutions in its report on “Capacity Building of Panchayati Raj Institutions” has noted with dismay that training requirement of as many as 29 lakh elected representatives of panchayats, of which 10 lakh are women, is far from satisfactory.
The Parliamentary committee has recommended that the government should constitute an expert committee to expand the present training network in the country.
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), 7 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 added.
The panel said the ministry of panchayati raj has agreed that the existing training infrastructure in 29 SIRDs and 78 ETCs needs to be augmented manifold.