Pic: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Mangalore, Jul 7: “The Panchayat Raj (Amendment) Bill-2013, passed by the Congress government in the Legislative Assembly is totally anti-people and undemocratic," said MLC Monappa Bhandary addressing a press meet held at district BJP office here on Saturday July 6.

"The Bill emphasizes that gram panchayat president and representatives should hold ward committee meetings compulsorily and if they fail to assemble or hold meetings they can be disqualified. This is a completely unethical bill passed by the government; the government is trying to undermine the Panchayatha Raj system. In fact, convening Gram Sabha and ward committee meetings is mandatory, but it is the duty of executive bodies like PDO and gram panchayat secretary to hold it,” he said.

“In panchayats, there are representatives who get elected through reservations. Some representatives have less social contact hence, it will be very difficult to convene meetings. Even in the Legislative Council this bill will not be allowed to pass and we will oppose it," he added.

“The district BJP has decided to hold protests against this Bill throughout the district, where prominent leaders will take part t. The protest in Mangalore taluk will be held on Monday July 8 in Thokottu, in Belthangady on Tuesday July 9, Puttur and Sullia on Wednesday July 10, as well as Moodbidri and Bantwal on Thursday July 11," he said.

Raghavendra Rao, Rajgopal Rai, and Guruprasad were present on this occasion.