Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore (BG)

Mangalore, Jun 19: A meeting with regard to the revision and re-classification of the gram panchayats was held here on Thursday June 19, in the Netravati auditorium of the zilla panchayat.

The meeting was held by S G Nanjayya Mutt, the president of the state committee formed for the re-classification and revision of the gram panchayats. Complaints and applications for various demands by the public and the members of the gram panchayats were received on the occasion.

Addressing the media after receiving the applications, S G Nanjayya said, "The gram panchayat was formed in the year 1991 and it has not been revised till date, hence with a view to revise it, keeping the norms and setting it up according to the 2011 census, the entire gram panchayat system in the state will be reviewed and revised."

"After the formation of the gram panchayats, the census had to be taken twice, but was never taken; nevertheless the present Siddramaiah-led state government has ordered for a re-classification and a special committee has been formed for the purpose. In order to make panchayat operations more accessible and people-friendly, as per norms a gram panchayats will be formed in every area with a population of more than 3,000. Along with this, 15 new projects have been planned at the panchayat level, thus providing more facilities for the people," he added.

"The committee thus formed has been going around the state and collecting complaints and demand applications from the people and the gram panchayat members. We are a team of six and we started our rounds on May 19 in Mysore. Twenty districts have been covered and this is the 21st district. Eight more districts are pending," he said.

Nanjayya further said, "Today, in Dakshina Kannada district we received 12 applications from Bantwal taluk, two from Beltangady, 12 from Mangalore, two from Puttur and four from Sullia; a total of 35 complaints have been received, of which 33 applications are in favor of re-classification. The team will urge the government for the re-classification.

"We are likely to finish the rounds by this month end and a detailed final report will be submitted to the government by the first week of September. For all those who were unable to make it today, we will give them a week's time to submit applications, either by mail, post or via the CEO of ZP."

"In order to form a gram panchayats, basics like PDO, secretary, clerk, peon, computers and other infrastructure are required and the work will cost about Rs 45 to Rs 60 lac. We have already received 895 applications so far. A scientifically prepared report will be submitted," he added.

There are a few panchayts which have excess of population like Belvai - 10,250, Kolnad - 12,201, Ujire - 13,429, Someshwar - 24,066, Kotekar - 14,505, Manjanday - 10,401, Podu - 13,533, Vittal - 17,618 and so on and as per the 2011 census, a detailed study will be made to check if they need a classification.

Speaking on the occasion, Asha Thimmappa Gowda, the ZP president said, "People of the panchayat were expecting certain things and have received them. A people-friendly plan by the government has been formulated and the panchayat will be better accessible, if the re-classification takes place."

She further suggested the president of the committee that instead of just sticking to norms, it would be better to set up a panchayat wherever needed with a view address the problems faced by the people in remote areas and thereby make the panchayat more accessible.

In response, Nanjayya Mutt promised to add the suggestion in the report and try to do the needful by bringing it to the notice of the government and the authorities.

ZP vice-president Satish Kumpala, joint director of committee Revaiah Vodeyar, standing committee president Fakeerappa, re-classification committee member A K Sudhamani and others were present.