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Haryana constitutes 7th finance commission
Haryana constitutes 7th finance commission

Hindustan Times

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • Hindustan Times

Haryana constitutes 7th finance commission

The Haryana government has constituted the seventh state finance commission, a constitutional entity, to examine and recommend distribution of financial resources between the state government and local self-governing bodies. A notification to this effect was issued on June 27 by chief secretary, Anurag Rastogi. The commission which has been constituted under the provisions of Articles 243-I and 243-Y of the Constitution shall make its report available to the governor by March 31, 2026. Former Haryana chief secretary Sanjeev Kaushal has been appointed as the chairman of the commission and IAS officer Anshaj Singh will serve as its member secretary. The commission which has been constituted under the provisions of Articles 243-I and 243-Y of the Constitution shall make its report available to the governor by March 31, 2026. The report shall cover a period of five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31. An action taken report pertaining to recommendations will be tabled in the state assembly by the state government. The objective of the commission is to make recommendations on key fiscal matters concerning Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), thereby improving decentralised governance and financial autonomy at the grassroots level. Its mandate included recommending principles for the distribution of net proceeds of taxes, duties, tolls, and fees levied by the state between the government and the PRIs—namely, zila parishads, panchayat samitis and gram panchayats. It will also advise on the taxes and fees that may be assigned to or appropriated by these rural local bodies, along with grants-in-aid to them from the consolidated fund of the state. The commission will also suggest measures to strengthen the financial health and revenue-generating capacity of PRIs. The commission will make recommendations regarding the urban local bodies including the distribution of state tax proceeds between the government and municipal bodies, the taxes that may be assigned to municipal bodies, the structure of grants-in-aid to them and the steps needed to bolster their financial sustainability. While making recommendations, the commission will take into account several aspects to ensure fiscal responsibility and equity. These included the need to maintain a balance between the state's receipts and expenditures and to generate sufficient surplus for capital investments. The commission will also assess the overall resource availability of the state government and the various demands on those resources, particularly expenditure related to civic administration, maintenance and upkeep of public infrastructure, recurring costs of plan schemes and other committed financial liabilities. The financial requirements, resource-raising potential, and scope for expenditure rationalisation of the PRIs and municipal bodies will also be evaluated to strengthen their fiscal autonomy and efficiency.

Haryana constitutes 7th state finance commission, former CS Sanjeev Kaushal named chairman
Haryana constitutes 7th state finance commission, former CS Sanjeev Kaushal named chairman

Time of India

time4 days ago

  • Business
  • Time of India

Haryana constitutes 7th state finance commission, former CS Sanjeev Kaushal named chairman

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government has constituted the 7th state finance commission (7th SFC) to examine and recommend the distribution of financial resources between the state government and local self-governing bodies. A notification to this effect was issued here today by the Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi. As per an official notification, former Chief Secretary of Haryana, Sanjeev Kaushal, has been appointed as the Chairman of the Commission. Anshaj Singh, IAS, will serve as the Member Secretary. The Commission has been constituted under the provisions of Articles 243-I and 243-Y of the Constitution of India, Section 213 of the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, and Rule 3 of the Haryana Finance Commission Rules, 1994. The purpose of the Commission is to make recommendations on key fiscal matters concerning Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), thereby improving decentralised governance and financial autonomy at the grassroots level. The commission's mandate includes recommending principles for the distribution of net proceeds of taxes, duties, tolls, and fees levied by the State between the Government and the PRIs—namely, Zila Parishads, Panchayat Samitis, and Gram Panchayats. It will also advise on the taxes and fees that may be assigned to or appropriated by these rural local bodies, along with grants-in-aid to them from the Consolidated Fund of the State. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like ¿Padece una enfermedad renal crónica (ERC)? Trialbee Más información Undo Furthermore, the Commission will suggest measures to strengthen the financial health and revenue-generating capacity of PRIs. Similarly, the Commission will make recommendations regarding the urban local bodies. These include the distribution of State tax proceeds between the government and Municipalities, the taxes that may be assigned to Municipalities, the structure of grants-in-aid to them, and the steps needed to bolster their financial sustainability. While formulating its recommendations, the Commission is required to take into account several important considerations to ensure fiscal responsibility and equity. These include the need to maintain a balance between the State's receipts and expenditures and to generate sufficient surplus for capital investments. The Commission must also assess the overall resource availability of the State Government and the various demands on those resources, particularly expenditure related to civic administration, maintenance and upkeep of public infrastructure, recurring costs of plan schemes, and other committed financial liabilities. Additionally, the financial requirements, resource-raising potential, and scope for expenditure rationalization of the Panchayati Raj Institutions and Municipalities will be carefully evaluated to strengthen their fiscal autonomy and efficiency. The commission has been directed to submit its final report to the governor of Haryana by March 31, 2026. The report will cover a five-year fiscal period, from 2026–27 to 2030–31, and its recommendations will play a critical role in shaping local governance finances during this timeframe. The headquarters of the Commission will be located in Panchkula.

The need for gender equity in urban bureaucracy
The need for gender equity in urban bureaucracy

The Hindu

time24-06-2025

  • Politics
  • The Hindu

The need for gender equity in urban bureaucracy

India is in the midst of a profound urban transformation. By 2050, over 800 million people, about half the population, will live in cities, making India the largest driver of global urban growth. As cities expand spatially, economically and demographically, they are rewriting the social contract of a modern India and shaping the future of its democracy and development. In the last three decades, progressive constitutional reforms have advanced gender equity. The 73rd and 74th Amendments mandate 33% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Governments (ULGs), further strengthened to 50% by 17 States and a Union Territory. Today, women comprise over 46% of local elected representatives (Ministry of Panchayati Raj, 2024), as a rising presence of mayors and councillors. However, the bureaucratic apparatus that implements their decisions remains overwhelmingly male. While women's representation in grass-root politics has increased, administrative cadres (city managers, planners, engineers, police) exhibit a stark imbalance, limiting the ability of cities to respond equitably to all citizens. As we invest in highways, metros, and smart cities, we overlook a foundational aspect of inclusive development — gender equity in bureaucracy. The bureaucratic gender gap Despite more women entering the civil services, the urban administrative architecture remains male-dominated. As of 2022, women constituted just 20% of the Indian Administrative Service (IndiaSpend-2022), with even lower representation in urban planning, municipal engineering and transport authorities. In policing, only 11.7% of the national force are women (Bureau of Police Research and Development-2023), and often confined to desk roles. This gap is cause for concern. In cities, the engagement of women is different. They rely more on public transport, make multi-stop journeys for work and caregiving, and depend on neighbourhood-level infrastructure. An Institute for Transportation and Development Policy and Safetipin study found that 84% of women in Delhi and Mumbai used public or shared transport; it was 63% for men. Yet, urban planning prioritises mega-projects over safe, accessible, neighbourhood-level mobility. A 2019 Safetipin audit across 50 cities found over 60% of public spaces were poorly lit. With few women in policing, community safety initiatives often fail to resonate with women. This underrepresentation is not superficial; it affects outcomes. Women officials bring perspectives shaped by lived realities. Studies by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations and UN Women show that they prioritise water, health and safety, and improve public trust in law enforcement through empathetic enforcement. Gender-sensitive design requires gender-diverse institutions. Missed opportunity in gender budgeting Gender-responsive budgeting (GRB), which integrates gender considerations into public finance, is a promising but underutilised tool in India's urban governance. Introduced globally in the 1990s, GRB recognises that budgets are not neutral and can reinforce inequities if left unchecked. India adopted a Gender Budget Statement in 2005-06, with Delhi, Tamil Nadu and Kerala leading efforts. Delhi has funded women-only buses and public lighting; Tamil Nadu applied GRB across 64 departments in 2022-23, and Kerala embedded gender goals through its People's Plan Campaign. Yet, studies by UN-Women and the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy show that most such efforts suffer from weak monitoring and limited institutional capacities, especially in smaller cities. For many ULGs, GRB remains tokenistic, overlooking essentials such as pedestrian safety or childcare in urban planning. In contrast, countries such as the Philippines mandate 5% of local budgets for gender programmes; Rwanda integrates GRB into national planning with oversight bodies; Uganda mandates gender equity certificates for fund approvals; Mexico ties GRB to results-based budgeting; and South Africa pilots participatory planning to anchor GRB in lived realities. These are not just fiscal reforms but also a reimagining of citizen-centric governance in cities. Building inclusive cities requires moving beyond political quotas to ensure women's presence in bureaucracy. This demands systemic reforms in recruitment, retention and promotion across administrative and technical roles. Affirmative action, through quotas and scholarships in planning and engineering, is key to dismantling structural barriers. Globally, countries as varied as Rwanda, Brazil, and South Korea show the impact of representation. Rwanda boosted maternal health and education spending; Brazil prioritised sanitation and primary health care; South Korea's gender impact assessments reshaped transit and public spaces and Tunisia's parity laws gave women more technical roles, improving focus on safety and health. The Philippines uses gender-tagged budgeting to fund gender-based violence shelters and childcare. Gender-balanced bureaucracies are not about fairness alone. They are essential for building safer, equitable, responsive cities. The cities we deserve As India aspires to become a $5 trillion economy, its cities must also aspire to be more than economic growth engines. They must become spaces of inclusion and equity. Gender must be mainstreamed into planning and implementation through mandatory audits, participatory budgeting, and linked evaluation. GRB should be institutionalised across ULGs, supported by targeted capacity-building. Representation must also translate into agency, and help dismantle glass ceilings. Local gender equity councils and models such as Kudumbashree offer templates, especially for small and transitioning cities. Women are already reshaping governance as elected leaders. They must now shape how cities are planned, serviced and governed. When cities reflect women's lived experiences, they work better for all. To build cities for women, we must start by building cities with women. Karthik Seshan is Senior Manager, Policy and Insights, Janaagraha

Ahead of Bihar polls, more MNREGA sanction power to mukhiyas, PRI allowances increased
Ahead of Bihar polls, more MNREGA sanction power to mukhiyas, PRI allowances increased

Indian Express

time12-06-2025

  • Politics
  • Indian Express

Ahead of Bihar polls, more MNREGA sanction power to mukhiyas, PRI allowances increased

In a significant decision ahead of Bihar Assembly polls, due later this year, Bihar has increased sanction amount MNREGA by a mukhiya from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. A mukhiya will have to seek any administrative approval for sanctioning amount up to `10 lakh in a financial year. Allowances for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) would be also increased. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar announced this at a meeting of mukhiyas and PRIs. The matter is subject to cabinet approval later. Bihar has three-tier Panchayati Raj institutions — village panchayat (8053), panchayat samits (533) and zila parishad (38). The CM also said allowances of zila parishad president and vice presidents, mukhiyas, sarpanchs and ward members would be increased. Monthly allowance of zila parishad president was increased from Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000. A zila parishad vice president's allowance goes up from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15000. A mukhiya's allowance was increased to Rs 7,500 from Rs 5,000. Panchayati Raj department secretary Manoj Kumar told reporters that a panchayat representative's family would get ex-gratia compensation of Rs 5 lakh in case of accident death or normal death in service years.

Modi hails Nitish for championing women's participation in PRIs
Modi hails Nitish for championing women's participation in PRIs

Time of India

time24-04-2025

  • Politics
  • Time of India

Modi hails Nitish for championing women's participation in PRIs

1 2 3 Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday praised CM Nitish Kumar for empowering women and marginalised communities through Bihar's three-tier panchayati raj institutions (PRIs). "We have seen how panchayats have empowered participation from different social groups. Bihar is the first state in the country to provide 50% reservation to women in the PRIs. And, for this, I congratulate Nitishji," said Modi while addressing the National Panchayati Raj Day function at Jhanjharpur in Madhubani district. Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, CM Nitish Kumar and Union panchayati raj minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, shared the dais as the PM offered his commendations. "Today, a very large number of sisters and daughters from poor, dalit, mahadalit, backward and extremely backward communities are serving as public representatives in Bihar's PRIs. This is true social justice, this is true social participation," Modi added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo He added that democracy thrives through the inclusion of diverse communities. "With this thought in mind, a law for 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and the legislative assembly has also been made. Women across the country will benefit from this. Our sisters and daughters will gain more representation in legislative bodies," he said. Highlighting the govt's mission-mode approach to boosting women's income and employment opportunities, Modi lauded the impact of Bihar's 'Jeevika Didi' initiative, highlighting its transformative effect on women's lives. "Self-help groups of women in Bihar have received financial assistance amounting to nearly Rs 1,000 crore. This will further strengthen the economic empowerment of women and support our goal of creating three crore Lakhpati Didis across the country," he said, lauding one of Nitish's flagship programmes.

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