PTI

New Delhi: Criticising the delay in release of funds for an ambitious e-governance project, Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today pitched for giving greater share in finances and governance to local self government institutions in rural areas for inclusive growth.

Aiyar said his ministry’s proposal to connect all the panchayats across the country through a computer network is in limbo as it has not been cleared yet by the Finance Ministry.

“My ministry had sought Rs8,000 crore almost an year back for the e-governance initiatives to connect each bloc and panchayats of the country but the project has not been approved yet,” Aiyar said addressing a conference organised by Skoch foundation.

He also targeted the bureaucracy for “writing margin notes on files in such English which they only can understand” and said “probably when the approval will come I will not be there as elections are coming.”

Observing that vast majority of the Indians are not included in the accelerated growth process, he said an integrated approach should be adopted for ensuring all-round development.

“We cannot achieve inclusive growth without inclusive governance and inclusive finances,” Aiyar said adding there was a need to strengthen the Panchayati Raj institutions to ensure development of the poor and underprivileged section of the society.

Aiyar said the importance given to the Panchayati Raj Ministry could be gauged from the fact that “as Panchyati Raj Minister, still I do not have a room.”