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The Way Ahead

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The financial year 2016-2017 was a journey full of successes. Bihar Gram Swaraj Yojna Society contributed immensely in organizing a successful state wide training program for the newly elected representa�ves under the Panchayat Raj Ins�tu�ons (PRIs). The Society under the guidance of the Panchayat Raj Department, Govt. of Bihar facilitated comple�on of training of the elected representa�ves under PRIs in a record �me of six months, since the panchayat elec�ons that concluded in April, 2016. Further, in the light of the delay in implementa�on of Bihar Panchayat strengthening Project (BPSP), the Society acted quickly in the direc�on of project restructuring, with an aim to a�ain results in the given �me frame through altera�on and adjustments in the project components. Bihar Panchayat Strengthening Project was originally supposed to be implemented in six districts vis-à-vis Panta, Nalanda, Bhojpur, Madehpura, Saharsa and supaul. However, post restructuring the geographical expanse of the project is increased to 12 districts. The six addi�onal districts are Madhubani, Darbhanga, Samas�pur, Gaya, Aurangabad and Rohtas. The project post-restructuring shall cover a total of 3186 Gram Panchayats spread in the 12 project districts. The total target in terms of number of elected representa�ves to be capacitated in mul�ple dimensions of effec�ve local governance is 93,874 that includes 3186 Mukhiya, 43,749 Gram Panchayat Members. 3186 Sarpanch and 43,749 Panch. However, the focus and intensity for the two sets of targets shall be of varying propor�on. It is pointed out for convenience that the project cost of 120 million dollar remains unchanged. Further, BPSP in its original form had five project components. The restructuring of the project resulted in omi�ng component 4 i.e. Panchayat Performance Grant, as the �me le� over for comple�on of the project did not permit accomplishment of the objec�ves under the component visualized in the original project plan. The budget for the component & i.e. Panchayat Performance Grant was re-distributed among the first three components vis-a-vis Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan, Core Ins�tu�onal Capacity Building and

Strengthening the State Capacity to manage Gradual Decentraliza�on. In another major shi� the first component of the project, dedicated to Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan, originally had provisions only for construc�on of PSBs. The component post restructuring is split in two sub-components. The first sub-component is assigned to construc�on of 330 Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan and second sub-component shall ensure making 330 Gram Panchayats func�onal where there exists a newly constructed Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans, constructed by the state government from resources beyond the project. The Society post-restructuring of the implementa�on strategy required to ensure quick results, yet without allowing any compromise on the project objec�ves. The relentless pursue to guide the project on right path, the project has ini�ated ac�on at mul�ple levels. The ac�on include intensifying efforts in iden�fica�on of right pieces of land for construc�on of Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans, selec�on of Gram Panchayats with newly constructed PSPs for fulfilment of the aim of crea�ng func�onal Gram Panchayats, se�ng up of the ground for roll out of Gram Panchayat Management System (GPMS), a �me-tested pla�orm for digital record keeping of the financial transac�ons in any Gram Panchayat to name a few.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the project is to create Gram Panchayats that are vibrant rural local bodies relentlessly engaged in delivering of ci�zen centric services and mobilizing support for collec�ve ac�on for development that contributes to in discriminatory individual well-being. The collec�ve ac�on, towards which the project is designed to contribute, is nothing but “rule of people”

rdactualized under the aspira�on of 73 cons�tu�onal amendment.

Bihar Gram Swaraj Yojna Society, a special purpose vehicle created to work on strengthening Panchaya� Raj Ins�tu�ons, is an autonomous body under the Department of Panchaya� Raj, Government of Bihar. The Society at present has the mandate of implemen�ng the World Bank funded project under the name of Bihar Panchayat Strengthening Project (BPSP), besides du�es and responsibili�es entrusted upon from �me-to-�me by the department. The project got restructured in July, 2016 with an object of demonstra�ng quick successes. With a fresh implementa�on perspec�ve, the project is busy in preparing the ground for launch of the ac�vi�es in manner that ascertains valuable contribu�ons in strengthening the PRIs. The project is all set to demonstrate some quick results based on the agreed success parameters for func�onal Gram Panchayats under an extremely �ght schedule in the year to follow.

2016 -17

Component 1: Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan - This component of Bihar Panchayat Strengthening project post-restructuring was split in two sub-components. The first sub-components is dedicated to construc�on of 330 Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans across 12 project districts. In a major shi� the project has taken a conscious decision to engage Local Area Engineering Organiza�on (LAEO), under Planning & Development Department, Govt. of Bihar for the construc�on of 330 Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan across 12 project districts. The LAEO shall replace Building Construc�on Department, Govt. of Bihar for the purpose. The shi� from BCD to LAEO was logical as LAEO was already into construc�on of PSBs apart from the project financing. �

Land Inspection for Construction of Bhawan in Doma Gram Panchayat Under Bhakhtiyarpur Block, Patna

In order to iden�fy suitable lands for the construc�on of 330 PSBs, the Society through exercises prior to restructuring had 212 land details made available by the district administra�on of the 6 project districts. The Society in the light of project restructuring intensified its ac�on for search of land details that suited the World Bank requirements. A le�er from the Society was issued to the District Magistrates of 6 project districts from where 212 land details were made available for re-verifica�on with respect to the World Bank benchmarks. The Society issued another le�er to the District

Magistrates of the en�re project districts, post restructuring, to make available the details of suitable land for construc�on of PSBs in concurrence with the standards of the World Bank. This excludes 212 exis�ng land details to be re-verified from the World Bank's perspec�ve. The project team with the support of

district administra�on is carrying out a survey to find out land details that meets the World Bank benchmarks.

The second sub-component of the original component of Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan is assigned to make 330 Gram Panchayats func�onal across 12 project districts. The rider for func�onal Gram Panchayats is that they must have newly constructed Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans constructed from the state ini�a�ves. The Society has carried out a survey of 269 Gram Panchayats that have newly constructed PSBs. It was found that 227 out of 229 PSBs were complete and 225 were recommended to be enlisted as fit for the purpose of crea�ng func�onal Gram Panchayats.

Under the project restructuring it was agreed that the Society, for the two sub-components on Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans, shall ensure mee�ng the targets of 330 PSBs to be constructed and 330 GPs to be made func�onal in a phased manner.

A newly constructed Panchayat Sarkar Bhan in Piprahi Gram Panchayat of Raghopur Block, Supaul

On site land verification for Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan in Khajuri Pandu Gram Panchayat of Nabinagar Block, Aurangabad

Component 2: Core ins�tu�onal Capacity Building - The financial year 2016-17 started on a very posi�ve note. The panchayat elec�ons concluded in April, 2016. The Department of Panchaya� Raj, Govt. of Bihar with technical and opera�onal support of Bihar Gram Swaraj Yojna Society ini�ated the state wide induc�on training program for the elected representa�ves under the three �er Panchayat Raj Ins�tu�ons (PRIs). In order to make the program a success, the Society was entrusted with the responsibili�es of content development for the training modules, design, prin�ng and distribu�on of training modules up to the level of block headquarters of 534 blocks and monitoring the quality of the program.

It was for the first �me that the induc�on training for the elected representa�ves under the PRIs was successfully organized soon a�er the panchayat elec�ons. The newly elected representa�ves received training with a set of 5 reference books that covers the en�re universe for the

A set of five training modules was inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Minister, Shri Ni�sh Kumar in a state level event organized on 21st July, 2016.

Hon'ble CM simultaneously dedicated the Society's web portal bgsys.gov.in to the service of the people. The state wide training program f o r t h e n e w l y e l e c t e d representa�ves under the PRIs received a kick start through a keynote address by Hon'ble CM from Patna on 21st July, 2016 for the members of Zila Parishad, Panchayat Sami� and

Gram Panchayat and 22nd July, 2016 for the members of Gram Katchehry through webcas�ng. The newly elected representa�ves under the PRIs were invited to a central loca�on in the district headquarters for the Hon'ble Chief Ministers key note address.

effec�ve management of the PRIs. In order to ensure quality of the training program the Society successfully launched and effec�vely used an online system to capture data from the field. An approximate number of 2.5 lakh elected representa�ves under the 3 �er PRIs and elected representa�ves of Gram Katchehry across the state received 3 days classroom training in district and block level events. The Society was ac�vely engaged in crea�ng pools of 250 state level mo�vated resource persons, for effec�ve training sessions, to ensure success of the program.

The services of Society was simultaneously solicited for crea�ng the database of the bank accounts of the GPs across the state, for transfer of

thgrants under 14 Finance Commission recommenda�on.

Inauguration of 3 days training program for the elected representatives under PRIs in Samastipur Block, Samastipur

Component 3:Strengthening the State Government Capacity for Gradual Decentraliza�on - One of the fundamental challenges with respect to managing affairs of the Panchayats in the State is financial management. In an a�empt to resolve the drawbacks, the Society had taken ini�a�ve to prepare Bihar Financial, Accounts, Audit and Taxa�on Rules under the ambit of Bihar Panchaya� Raj Act, 2006. The dra� rules shall be shortly submi�ed before the State Cabinet for approval.

Further, the Society parallely worked on establishment of a system that aids recording of the financial transac�ons in real-�me. The system for financial management of the Gram Panchayats is known as Gram Panchayat Management System, which is a �me-tested so�ware used in West Bengal. The Society and West Bengal counterpart has mutually agreed in principle for use of GPMS as a solu�on to the state wide problem of financial record keeping. GPMS shall be rolled out across the state soon a�er approval of the State Cabinet of the dra� Bihar Financial, Accounts, Audit and Taxa�on rules, with technical assistance from the West Bengal team responsible for managing and guiding GPMS.

The very opera�onaliza�on of GPMS customized to state specific requirements shall go a long way in strengthening state capacity to manage gradual decentraliza�on as the final outcome of the exercise shall result in transparency and accountability in managing the affairs at the level of Gram Panchayats. This shall by default help the state government develop confidence in the exis�ng set of PRIs. The net resultant shall be devolu�on of addi�onal power to the PRIs and GPs in par�cular.

Component 4: Project Management & Coordina�on - In the light of restructuring of the project the number of districts to be covered increase from 6 to 12. Thus, it became per�nent to increase the manpower strength under the project. The total sanc�oned posi�ons under the project was, therefor, increased to 1580 from 710 with approval of the State Cabinet. The Society, therea�er, promptly took ini�a�ve to hire an Human Resource agency for facilita�ng recruitment against a total of 1494 vacant posi�ons. The vacancies comprise State, District, Block and Sub-Block level posi�ons. The Society shall soon have a competent HR agency on board to ini�ate the processes for recruitment in the given context.

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In order to ensure effec�ve human resource management, monitoring of the capacity development programs for the elected representa�ves under the Panchaya� Raj Ins�tu�ons (PRIs) and Gram Panchayat level func�onaries, ease of access to informa�on under the project, the Society has got a integrated web portal developed and opera�onal. The so�ware that operates the integrated web portal includes on-line financial management system, with limited access. The integrated web portal bgsys.gov.in is a mul�purpose tool for effec�ve project management.

Screen shot of bgsys.gov.in homepage

The Way Ahead ...

The �me, post-restructuring of Bihar Panchayat Strengthening Project (BPSP) in July, 2016, was u�lized for the necessary preparatory work that includes cabinet approval over the restructured project, revision in 18 months procurement plan, prepara�on of expression of interests with detailed terms of reference for hiring of consultancy services to meet the objects under the project, survey to find suitable land details for Construc�on of Panchayat Sarkar Bhawan, iden�fica�on of suitable Gram Panchayat with newly constructed Panchayat Sarkar Bhawans to be made func�onal in a manner that they serve the purpose of beacon GPs, revision of salary structure for the employee to a�ract best available talents, et al were few ac�vi�es that shall eventually results in long las�ng on-ground ac�on in the days to come.

The bouquet of ac�vi�es set for the Financial Year 2017-18 includes finaliza�on of HR agency for recruitment against 1494 positons, supply of furniture to Gram Panchayats to be made func�onal, ini�a�ng the process of appointment of human resource supply agency for providing services of a set of accountant and data entry operator to every gram panchayat iden�fied to be made func�onal, ini�a�on of pilot interven�ons on community mobiliza�on, launch of a series of pilot capacity development interven�on comprising mul�farious dimensions such as IT and GP func�onality for elected representa�ves of the Gram Panchayats & Gram Katchehry and their respec�ve func�onaries, finaliza�on of the list of 330 Gram Panchayats to be made func�onal and making available 330 land details to LAEO for construc�on of PSBs, as aimed under the project. It is also aimed that in the Year 2017-18 LAEO will be in ac�on construc�ng PSBs on the great many iden�fied sites.

Bihar Gram Swaraj Yojana Society, Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Bihar3rd Floor, BISCOMAUN Tower, Gandhi Maidan, Patna - 800001 Ph : +91-612-2219175