Role and Functions of the Department

The Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Haryana, is the nodal agency for all initiatives pertaining to rural development and the strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the state. Its core objectives include:

• Implementing Rural Development Schemes: Executing various Central and State Government schemes for poverty alleviation, employment generation, rural housing, and infrastructure development.
• Strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs): Empowering Gram Panchayats, Block Samitis, and Zila Parishads through financial devolution, capacity building, and administrative support.
• Rural Infrastructure Development: Overseeing projects for village roads, water harvesting structures, community buildings, and sanitation facilities.
• Employment Generation: Managing programs like MGNREGA to provide guaranteed wage employment in rural areas.
• Poverty Alleviation: Implementing schemes targeted at improving the livelihoods of rural poor, especially women and marginalized communities.
• Social Audit & Transparency: Promoting transparency and accountability in the implementation of rural schemes through social audits.
• Data Management: Maintaining data related to Panchayats, rural households, and scheme beneficiaries.

The department is crucial for integrated and sustainable rural growth in Haryana.

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in Haryana

Haryana has a three-tier Panchayati Raj system, as mandated by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, and implemented through the Haryana Panchayati Raj Act, 1994:

1. Gram Panchayat (Village Level):
   • The lowest tier, directly elected by the villagers.
   • Headed by a Sarpanch, along with elected Panches.
   • Responsible for basic civic amenities, local development works, and implementing village-level schemes.
   • Acts as the primary interface between villagers and the government.
2. Block Samiti (Intermediate / Block Level):
   • Operates at the block (sub-district) level.
   • Members are elected by the Panches and Sarpanches, or directly by the public depending on specific rules.
   • Responsible for coordinating development activities across multiple Gram Panchayats within a block.
3. Zila Parishad (District Level):
   • The highest tier at the district level.
   • Members are elected from different constituencies within the district.
   • Responsible for overall planning and implementation of development schemes at the district level, overseeing the Block Samitis and Gram Panchayats.

These bodies ensure grassroots democracy and decentralized governance.

Key Rural Development Schemes in Haryana

The department implements a wide array of schemes to uplift rural areas. Some prominent ones include:

• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA):
  • Provides a legal guarantee of 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do unskilled manual work.
  • Focuses on asset creation like water conservation, drought proofing, rural connectivity.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G):
  • Aims to provide 'Housing for All' by 2022 (extended), providing financial assistance for the construction of pucca houses to eligible rural households.
• Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin) (SBM-G):
  • Focuses on achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status in villages, promoting solid and liquid waste management, and improving rural sanitation.
• National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) / Aajeevika:
  • Promotes self-employment and organization of rural poor into Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to enhance their livelihoods.
• Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY):
  • Aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected habitations in rural areas.
• Smart Gram Yojana / Adarsh Gram Yojana:
  • State-specific initiatives focusing on integrated development of selected villages through various civic amenities and infrastructure.
• National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP):
  • Provides social assistance benefits to the aged, widows, and persons with disabilities in the form of pensions.

These schemes address diverse needs, from employment to basic amenities.

Citizen Services in Rural Areas

Rural citizens can access various services through their Gram Panchayats and relevant government portals:

• Birth & Death Registration: Registrations are done at the Gram Panchayat level. Certificates can often be applied for and downloaded via SARAL Haryana or e-Disha portals.
• Issuance of Certificates: Applications for various certificates like Caste, Income, Domicile (Resident) often involve verification at the Gram Panchayat/Patwari level.
• MGNREGA Job Card Application: Apply for a job card to seek employment under MGNREGA.
• Application for Rural Housing Schemes: Submit applications for PMAY-G and other housing schemes.
• Grievance Redressal: Lodge complaints related to rural infrastructure, scheme implementation, or local governance through Gram Panchayats or online portals like SARAL Haryana.
• Access to Information: Gram Panchayats are increasingly maintaining records and information related to development works, financial expenditure, and beneficiary lists, which can be accessed by citizens.

Digital initiatives are making rural services more accessible.

Official Resources & Helplines

For accurate and up-to-date information regarding Panchayat & Rural Development services and schemes in Haryana, refer to these official sources:

• Panchayat and Rural Development Department, Haryana:
  Official Website: panchayat.haryana.gov.in
  This is the primary portal for departmental information, policies, and schemes.
• e-Panchayat Portal:
  The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, has various e-Panchayat initiatives (e.g., eGramSwaraj, AuditOnline) which provide data and services related to PRIs. Haryana's local bodies are integrated with these.
  eGramSwaraj Portal: egramswaraj.gov.in
• SARAL Haryana Portal:
  Official Website: saralharyana.gov.in
  Many citizen services related to rural areas (e.g., certificates, social welfare schemes) are available here.
• MGNREGA Official Website:
  Website: nrega.nic.in
  For details on MGNREGA, including job card applications and scheme specifics.
• Helpline Numbers:
  • SARAL Haryana Helpline: 0172-3968400
  • Refer to the Panchayat & Rural Development Department website for any specific scheme-wise or district-level helplines.
• Gram Panchayat Office: Your local Gram Panchayat office is the first point of contact for many rural services and information.

Always rely on official government portals and offices for authentic information.