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            My second point is devolution of power to panchayati raj institutions is still a distant dream.  Many States are yet to empower the PRIs.  I fully agree that activity maps are precursors to the rationale devolution of finances as also for assignment of functionaries to the panchayat level to which their responsibilities and the funds are devolved. So far as good.  But the basic question that perturbs me is, should PRIs especially the gram panchayats be self-reliant or dependent on doles from other bodies? You are providing an umbrella but you are not building a roof over its head and umbrella is a temporary thing.  Gandhiji’s gram swaraj meant self-reliance.  Mira Behn vouched this.  But today, panchayati raj institutions are becoming delivery  mechanisms for development, an extended branch of the State.  
I have got a few suggestions to make here. I am not standing here to say anything which would embarrass a man of your stature as the Panchayati Raj Minister. I have seen your three volumes of books. I could not complete this literature. But I am really happy that you are still continuing the hard work that you have started since Rajiv ji’s days. We are lucky that you are the Minister of Panchayati Raj. Here, I would like to suggest a few points.
            My first point is that in your literature, it has been mentioned that this is under the State List.  But if any State were to fail to implement it through the Panchayati Raj institutions, then, what are we going to do? Let us have the example of my State. You have visited my State. On the floor of the House, you have assured me. But still, devolution of power, the financial power to the elected representatives of panchayats has not taken place. With my State, you have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Panchayati Raj Minister there. But no impact has been made.   An elected representative of the panchayat has gone to the High Court, Guwahati and the verdict came out in favour of the elected representative of the panchayat saying that through devolution of power, finances should be given to the elected representatives. But still, no impact has been made. So, I would like to request you to find out a solution so that there can be compulsory implementation of it though the subject is in the State List.