The Prime Minister has called for effective functioning of Panchayati Raj institutions in remote, backward and tribal areas to tackle the challenges like Maoism.<br/><br/>Dr Manmohan Singh was addressing a National Conference to mark the National Panchayatiraj Diwas in New Delhi today. He said partnerships of Panchayats in developmental plans is necessary because they fully understand the local needs.<br/><br/>Panchayats not only make direct participation possible for the marginalised section in governance but also play an important role in ensuring transparency and accountability.<br/><br/>Therefore, special importance has been given to the implementation of the various schemes of Panchayati Raj institutions in the 11th Plan period.<br/><br/>The Prime Minister said that the government is aware of the difficulties being faced by these institutions and efforts have been to made to provide funds and other basic facilities for them. He said the government wants that the capacity of these institutions is increased.<br/><br/>On the proposed increase of women reservation from 33 percent to 50 percent in Panchayati Raj institutions, Dr. Manmohan Singh said that once this is implemented the number of women in these institutions will go up to 14 lakhs from the present 10 lakh.<br/><br/>Describing the day as historic, he said it was on this day in 1993 that the 73rd Constitutional Amendment was implemented to enable the three-tier Panchayats to take responsibility of governance to the grass root level. Its impact is clearly visible now, he said.<br/><br/>The Prime Minister released State of Panchayats Report for the year 2008-09. The two volume report is an independent assessment done by the Institute of Rural Management Anand. Dr. Manmohan Singh also presented awards for the States doing excellent work in Panchayats. Kerala was adjudged the best State and Karnataka was on the second position.