Several new powers and rights have been delegated to the Panchayati Raj Institutions by the Government to give autonomy to the elected bodies at the grass root level.
Significantly, pursuant to Act 243 (G) of Indian Constitution the Government has to provide powers related to 29 subjects as mentioned in the Eleventh Schedule to the Panchayati Raj Act. Section 75,76 & 77 of Jharkhand Panchayati Raj Act 2001 also directs the Government to delegate authority to the PRIs in the State.
The four Government departments-Agriculture & Sugarcane Development; Social Welfare, Women & Child Development; Human Resource Department; Department of Health, Medical Education & Family Welfare- have come forward to divest powers of their respective spheres to the PRIs. The powers have been delegated to ensure participation of PRIs in planning and execution of social welfare & economic development scheme. Under the principle, the PRIs were given autonomy on matters related to “Funds, Functions and Functionaries” by the departments however the overriding powers in the event of conflict still rests with the departments.