ForumIAS LATEST
- 1 August | Consistency Is the Real UPSC Game Changer | Click Here to Watch →
- 1 August | Don't skip this after Mocks suggested by Toppers | Click Here to Watch →
- 1 August | Why most UPSC aspirants stay stuck by Mr. Ayush Sinha | Click Here to Watch →
- 1 August | Don't wait for perfect content | Click Here to Watch →
News: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme, SAMARTH Panchayat Portal, and released the Model OSR Rules for Panchayati Raj Institutions.
About Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme
- Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme is a national initiative to help Gram Panchayats and Block Panchayats develop sustainable Own Source of Revenue (OSR).
- Nodal Ministry: It is an initiative of Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- Aim: It aims to identify local assets and opportunities and convert them into bankable, revenue-generating projects.
- Key features:
- Revenue-generating projects: Gram Panchayats and Block Panchayats can identify local assets and opportunities and develop them into bankable, revenue-generating projects.
- Technical support: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj provides dedicated technical support for preparing and developing these projects.
- Multiple funding sources: Projects receive financing through Public-Private Partnerships, Corporate Social Responsibility contributions, convergence with other schemes, and bank finance, with NABARD and HUDCO as institutional partners.
- Project rollout: The programme will develop 350 projects over four years, including 50 projects in the first year and 100 projects in each of the next three years.
About SAMARTH Panchayat Portal
- It is a unified national digital platform for technology-enabled management of Panchayat Own Sources of Revenue (OSR).
- Launched by: It is launched by Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- Aim: It aims to digitally manage the complete Own Sources of Revenue (OSR) lifecycle and strengthen the financial capacity of Gram Panchayats.
- Key features:
- End-to-end digital platform: The portal digitally manages the complete OSR process, from taxpayer registration and demand generation to online payments, collection, and real-time monitoring.
- Expansion: Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh are onboarded, while onboarding is underway in Maharashtra, Mizoram, Assam, Haryana, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.
About the Model OSR Rules for Panchayati Raj Institutions
- Prepared by: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has prepared the Model OSR Rules as a guiding framework for States and Union Territories.
- Purpose: The Rules seek to strengthen the financial independence of Panchayati Raj Institutions by improving their Own Source of Revenue (OSR).
- Based on: The Rules have been framed in line with the recommendations of the Sixteenth Finance Commission.
- Coverage: They provide a transparent and uniform system for the assessment, collection, and management of property tax, user charges, fees, and other non-tax revenues.
- Implementation: The Rules are advisory in nature and may be adopted or modified by States and Union Territories according to their legal framework and local requirements.
