Shimla, July 12 (IANS): The Himachal Pradesh government has taken various initiatives to strengthen the Panchayati Raj institutions and has set aside a budget of Rs.414 crore for them this year, a statement said here on Sunday.

All panchayats in the state have been computerized to ensure smooth and effective execution of their day-to-day functioning, besides bringing more transparency and responsiveness to them, the statement said.

The computerisation has proved helpful in maintaining accounts and records. Modern software applications under Mission Mode Project of the central government have been introduced in the Panchayati Raj system.

The Panchayati Raj institutions' functionaries have been imparted training to make them efficient in using these applications.

Under this project 12 assistant programmers and 75 computer operators have been recruited, it said.

To provide internet connectivity in all panchayats of the tribal district of Kinnaur, each panchayat has been provided Rs.31.40 lakh for v-set during 2014-15.

A sum of Rs.391.39 crore has been received for strengthening the Panchayati Raj institutions under the 13th Finance Commission during the past two and a half years, which includes Rs.86.14 crore during 2012-13, Rs.153.47 during 2013-14 and Rs.151.78 during 2014-15.

The state government would release Rs.109 crore from the state budget during 2015-16. Besides, Rs.195 crore would also be sanctioned for the panchayats on the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission, the statement added.