Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)
Bengaluru, Dec 19: Karnataka governor, Vajubhai Vala, has given his assent to Karnataka Panchayati Raj Ammendment Bill that aims at strengthening the zilla panchayat (ZP) and taluk panchayat (TP) institutions. With this, zilla panchayat presidents will enjoy the status of ministers of state (MOS), and the terms of office of both ZP and TP presidents stand extended to five years from the previous 20 months.
The above two are most important of certain ammendments brought about in the Panchayati Raj Act in tune with the recommendations of K R Ramesh Kumar Committee meant to breathe further life into the panchayati raj institutions with the aim of making them more autonomous and flexible.
The bill, which was passed by both the houses in November, had been forwarded to the governor for his approval. After the bill got the assent of the governor, rural development minister, H K Patil, visited the Raj Bhavan on Friday evening and thanked the governor.
A committee headed by MLA, K R Ramesh Kumar, comprising 21 experts, which was formed to study proposed ammendments and submit a report, had completed its task and submitted final report in December last year. A sub-committee headed by minister, H K Patil, was formed to review this report and the report came up for discussions before the cabinet five times. Discussions were also held about the report in the parliamentary party meeting of the Congress, but several MLAs had expressed strong reservations on according the status of ministers of state to ZP presidents. It is said that the move got the nod after party vice president, Rahul Gandhi, threw his weight behind the reforms.
A few members of the above panel are also of the view that gram panchayat presidents too should get the status of ministers of state.