The Government of India has selected six Panchayati Raj Institutions of the Himachal for the award under the Panchayat Empowerment and Accountability Incentive Scheme (PEAIS) for the year 2012-013. Disclosing this here today Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Anil Sharma said that Rs. 40 lacs to Zila Parishad, Kullu, Rs. 20 lacs to Panchayat Samiti, Kotkhai district Shimla, Rs. 20 lacs to Panchayat Samiti, Hamirpur, District Hamirpur, Rs. five lacs to Gram Panchayat Sari, Development Block, Jubbal-Kotkhai, district Shimla and Rs. five lacs to Gram Panchayat Jassai, Development Block, Nadaun, District Hamirpur would be given under PEAI scheme.

Anil Sharma said that Gram Panchayat Hatkot of Development Block, Kunihar, District Solan had been selected as Best Gram Sabha for award of Rs. 10 lacs. Adding that awardee Panchayats of the States would be honoured on the National Panchayati Raj Day on 24th April, 2013 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. He said that the selection of these Panchayats, as the Best Panchayats had not only brought laurels to the State but their efforts have provided impetus to the developmental activities and these Panchayats had emerged as source of inspiration for the other Panchayats.

The Minister congratulated the elected representatives and the public of the Panchayati Raj Institutions for being adjudged as the best Panchayats.

The Panchayat Empowerment and Accountability Incentive Scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India with a view to make the Panchayati Raj Institutions more efficient and transparent in their functioning. Under the scheme, the best Panchayat amongst all the three levels i.e. Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad is selected through rankings. The above Panchayats have been awarded/selected under the said scheme as per the prescribed parameters of activities of Panchayats, approval of schemes, follow up action in respect of passed resolution of Panchayats, creation of property, total sanitation, to bring awareness amongst the common people about the various programmes of the State and Centre Government etc.