The contentious debate over the “digital vs. manual” control of village funds reached a definitive conclusion today at the High Court. The bench’s decision to side with the state administration marks a turning point for the Panchayati Raj institutions in Haryana.
-
The Core Conflict: The dispute began when the Haryana government lowered the limit for manual tenders, making it mandatory for any village work worth more than ₹5 lakh to go through an online portal (etenders.hry.nic.in). Thousands of Sarpanches had protested, claiming this “centralized” control turned them into mere “supervisors” while contractors and junior engineers held the real power.
-
The Court’s Reasoning: The High Court observed that the transition to digital platforms does not infringe upon the spirit of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment. Instead, the bench noted that e-tendering:
-
Prevents Cartelization: Reduces the influence of local muscle power in awarding contracts.
-
Ensures Fair Pricing: Allows wider participation, leading to competitive bids that save taxpayer money.
-
Audit Trail: Creates a permanent digital record of the work, making social audits more effective.
-
-
Government Reaction: Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini welcomed the decision, stating, “Our goal has always been ‘Zero Tolerance for Corruption.’ This verdict is a win for the common villager who wants to see their taxes being spent honestly on roads, drains, and libraries.”
-
Impact on Rural Development: With the legal clouds cleared, the Development and Panchayat Department is expected to fast-track over 10,000 pending projects across 6,200 villages. The government has already allocated an additional ₹1,100 crore for rural works to be executed in the current financial year.
