Kerala, Karnataka, Sikkim and West Bengal have done well when it comes to devolving most powers to panchayats and giving incentive awards. The states of Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Bihar, Uttarakhand and Puducherry ranked low on devolution front.

This information, sourced from an independent study that ranked states on a Devolution Index (DI) for 2010-11, was given by panchayati raj minister V Kishoe Chandra Deo to parliament on Friday.   

Article 243 G of the constitution empowers state legislatures to delegate panchayats with such powers and authority that enables them to function as the institution of self government, prepare plans and implement schemes for economic development and social justice.

As per Article 243H of the constitution, a state legislature may by law authorise or assign taxes, duties etc to panchayats and provide for grants-in-aid.  

As the constitution leaves it to states to devolve power to panchayats, states vary in the extent to which they have devolved funds, functions and functionaries (3Fs).

As per Article 243B, three tier Panchayats at the village, intermediate and district levels are to be constituted in all states.