THE CONGRESS PARTY'S PRIORITIES, PLANS AND PROGRAMMES

PANCHAYATI RAJ

Panchayat bodies that got Constitutional sanction a decade ago because of the vision and relentless zeal of Rajiv Gandhi, now need full devolution of funds, functions and functionaries. Globalisation and economic reforms must be based on strong, effective and empowered institutions of local self-government.

The Congress will ensure that all funds for poverty alleviation and rural development programmes will be credited directly to panchayat bodies. The Gram Sabha will be empowered to emerge as the foundation of the panchayati raj system. Appropriate audit systems would be established to ensure sound financial administration at the local level.