Mohan Kuthar
Daijiworld Media Network – Kasargod (EP)
Kasargod, Oct 11: “Panchayat Raj means bold steps and power under the constitution and rural development. The BJP government is trying to destroy the concept of decentralization of power and destroy democracy,” alleged Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Raj organization district convener Subhaschandra Shetty Kolnadu.
He was speaking at the mass protests held by Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Raj organization under the aegis of Ullal and Mudipu block Congress against the proposed curtailment of power of panchayat president and members by BJP government. The protests were held in front of Ullal Taluk Panchayat office at Belma.
“The power under panchayat raj was a concept of Rajiv Gandhi. The S M Krishna government had provided 18 schemes to the gram panchayats. Gram panchayats, taluk panchayats and zilla panchayats were formed under the concept of rural development. The Siddaramaiah government has assigned 29 departments under the panchayat raj department.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh government has given complete power under employment guarantee scheme to panchayat administration to empower the villages. But the current government has toppled their identity without holding elections for zilla panchayat and taluk panchayats twice for two years.”
“Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary had raised his voice against it. It is unfortunate that he is quiet now. If he trusts the system, let him resign from the cabinet post and join the campaign. The government intends to enter the villages and extend the 40% business there. The Modi government has reduced 25% grants under 15th finance commission. Instead of people's representatives, the officials sit in zilla panchayats and taluk panchayats and create projects, axing the democratic process,” he said.
Haider Kairangala gave an introductory address. Nazar Shah Pattori welcomed. Razak Kukkaje compered the programme. Abdul Sattar proposed a vote of thanks.
Former zilla panchayat vice president M S Mohammed, Ullal block Congress president Sadashiva Ullal, former MUDA president Ibrahim Kodijal and others were present.
A memorandum was submitted to the government through zilla panchayat EO Rajanna later.