From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, July 21: The second phase of the World Bank funded Rs 2000 crore Gram Swaraj project for strengthening capacities of 2791 gram panchayats in 79 backward taluks will be implemented from the current financial year, Karnataka’s Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (RDPR) Minister H K Patil said in Bengaluru on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters, the Minister said the World Bank has sanctioned Rs 1400 crore for the project.

The State Government would incur an expenditure of Rs 600 crore for implementing the World Bank funded project.

The objective of the project is to improve the effectiveness of service delivery by GPs, particularly with respect to management of public resources and delivery of services that the rural people prioritise. 

The RDPR Department would implement the project 1466 GPs of 39 most backward taluks in 15 districts and 1324 GPs of 40 more backward taluks in 10 districts identified by the Committee for Redressal of Regional Imbalances, headed by the late D.M. Nanjundappa.

The project envisages augmenting capacities of GPs in revenue generation and implementing welfare programmes. 

The first phase of the project was completed in 2013.