Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Dec 12: State rural development and panchayat raj minister, Jagadish Shettar, held himself in favour of election of gram panchayat president by the voters for a term of five hours. He favoured this procedure, taking cue from the incidents like infighting for this post, factionalism, sharing of power for split periods, horse trading, etc.

Speaking at the Gram Swaraj Convention organized at Rajangana of Srikrishna Mutt here on Sunday December 11, Shettar pointed out that sharing of power for a few months is wrong, as a president cannot achieve anything within this short period. He pointed out that some states are following the system of direct election of GP presidents, which may be adopted by the state.

He said that the government has been taking steps to implement recommendations of the Third Finance Commission headed by A G Kodgi. He said instructions have already been given to gram panchayats to pass on user charge to houses for electricity spent on water supply. He also revealed that Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd has been asked to waive pending bills from gram panchayats.  “We will convene a meeting shortly to sort out the dissatisfaction over the allegations of undermining of power, vesting of excessive power etc, which are being leveled by different agencies  in the three-tier panchayat system,” he explained.

He asked the concerned not to bring politics into picture while choosing beneficiaries under various schemes.

In his keynote address, former union minister, Manishankar Aiyar, opined that it is the duty of the legislators, whose number in state is only 224, to follow the diktats of gram panchayat members, who far outnumber the former. He urged the central government to bring in ammendments to Land Acquisition Act, which is archaic and brought during British era. He also favoured handing over funds, human resources, power etc to respective panchayats by the government for maintaining their roads. He wanted affective implementation of central and state schemes to ensure that rural development is achieved.

In his valedictory address, minister, Dr  V S Acharya, said that the government is thinking of hiring capable employees, making changes in panchayat raj system wherever possible, and increasing of grants, towards achieving progress of villages.

Former MP and former zilla panchayat president, C Narayana Swamy, presided, Former minister, P G R Sindhia, delivered introductory address. MLA, K Raghupati Bhat, extended best wishes. MLC, Kota Srinivas Poojary, moved resolution. A G Kodgi, MLA, Shanaagouda Patil, zilla panchayat president, Katapadi Shankar Poojary, chief executive officer, Prabhakar Sharma, and others were present.