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Karnataka tops the overall Devolution Index (DI) ranking of the Panchayat Raj system among States in India, while Kerala and Tamil Nadu are in the second and third spot, respectively.
The report titled ‘Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking’ (2024) released by the Centre on February 13 states that Karnataka tops the chart in the DI and in the key sub-indices of ‘finances’ and ‘accountability’. Overall, the State has commendable performance across nearly all identified metrics.
States/UTs were ranked according to the overall panchayat DI and six key dimensions of framework, functions, finances, functionaries, capacity enhancement, and accountability. The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Indian Institute of Public Administration, New Delhi, prepared the report.
Overall
The report notes that Karnataka ranks first with an overall index score of 72.23 followed by Kerala (70.59), Tamil Nadu (68.38), and Maharashtra (61.44). While BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh ranks fifth (60.07), Gujarat is ranked sixth (58.26). Bihar along with the north-eastern and hilly States of Assam, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand emerged as moderate scorers but with values above the national average of 43.89.
Six key dimensions
In the framework criterion, Kerala ranks first followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Haryana
In the functional criterion, Tamil Nadu tops the list followed by Karnataka, Odisha, and Rajasthan
In the finances criterion, Karnataka has secured the top place followed by Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan
In the accountability criterion, Karnataka tops followed by Kerala, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh
In the functionaries criterion, Gujarat ranks first followed by Tamil Nadu and Kerala
In the capacity building criterion, Telangana has secured the first spot followed by Tamil Nadu and Gujarat
Framework dimension
In the ‘Framework’ dimension, Kerala ranks first with a score of 83.56 followed by Maharashtra (74.74), Karnataka (74.43), and Haryana (73.3).
This dimension includes legal requirements such as holding regular panchayat elections, reserving seats for women, SCs, and STs, and establishing State Election Commission and State Finance Commission.
Functions
In the ‘functions’ dimension, Tamil Nadu tops with an index value of 60.24. Karnataka (57.62), Odisha (57.46), and Rajasthan (56.13) are marginally separated from each other. This criterion stipulates States to assign local functions to panchayats, enabling them to act as institutions of self-government. Karnataka delegates a significant number of functions to panchayats and GPs enjoy maximum power to levy taxes and non-taxes, it said.
Finances
Under the criterion of ‘Finances’, Karnataka has secured the top place with a score of 70.65 followed by Kerala (62.89), Tamil Nadu (55.78), and Rajasthan (54.56). In this indicator, States have been evaluated based on the release of funds in time under the 15th Finance Commission. It is found that most States are not serious about the constitution of the SFCs and implement their recommendations.
Accountability
Karnataka has topped in the ‘Accountability’ dimension with the highest score (81.33) in the indicators of ‘social audit’ and ‘gram sabha’. Karnataka is followed by Kerala, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh with the score of 81.18, 80.36, and 76.07, respectively.
Criteria adopted in this category are accounting and audit of panchayats, social audit of panchayats, functioning of gram sabha, transparency and anti-corruption, panchayat assessment, and incentivisation. Overall, the GP system in Karnataka has served as a vital institution for promoting local self-governance, participatory democracy, and sustainable development in rural areas, the report noted.
Functionaries
In the ‘Functionaries’ dimension, Karnataka has one of the maximum number of panchayat officials working as per the sanctioned positions prescribed by the State. Gujarat tops the list with a value of 90.94, followed by Tamil Nadu (84.25), and Kerala (82.99). Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Maharashtra have secured scores above 70 along with Himachal Pradesh (70.06). Key indicators included in this dimension are the physical infrastructure of panchayats, e-connectivity of panchayats, panchayat officials, and sanctioned and actual staff positions.
Capacity building
In the ‘Capacity building’ dimension, Karnataka is among the top 10 States. Key indicators included in this category are training institutions, and training activities of elected representatives and officials.
Telangana has secured the first rank (86.19) followed by Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat, with the score of 84.29 and 83.96, respectively.
Published – February 15, 2025 08:15 pm IST
