Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jan 16: District in-charge minister Ramanath Rai on Saturday January 16 announced that the state government has done away with forms 9 and 11 related to land purchase, sale and conversion.

Addressing a press meet at City Beach, Bolar here Rai said, "Form numbers 9 and 11 which had created much confusion in Kodagu, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts have been scrapped by the state government.

"I am happy to say that Congress is united in both Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. Our candidate Pratapchandra Shetty won the recent MLC elections as expected. Congress has always worked for the poor and downtrodden people. Our government has implemented the Panchayath Raj Bill passed in the assembly," Rai said.

Rajya Sabha MP Oscar Fernandes said, "I thank all the people, council members, gram panchayat members, taluk and zilla panchayat members for supporting Pratapchandra Shetty and giving us this great victory. It was our late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's dream to give more powers to the panchayats. It was Rajiv Gandhi who stressed on election in panchayats. Now Karnataka government has bought changes in the Panchayat Raj Act.

"The main amendment is that 20 percent of the grants from the central and the state government will be utilized for developmental works as per the decision of panchayat members. There is provision to sack the panchayat president if he does not call for regular meetings. Reservation will be continued for two terms, that is, a person who gets elected in one constituency and builds it need not change his constituency in the next election. It will enable him to serve in the same constituency for two terms. If the Right to Education is implemented in every panchayat, it will reach every child."

Mangaluru south MLA J R Lobo, mayor Jacintha Alfred, MLC Pratapchandra Shetty, MLC Ivan D'Souza and others were present.