The Hindu

• Gram panchayats will be given more powers, says Minister
• Each gram panchayat will get Rs. 10 lac: Udasi 
• Rs 600 crore earmarked to develop 1,343 gram panchayats under Gram Swarajya Scheme

Udupi, Aug 20: Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister C M Udasi said on Saturday Aug 19 that the State Government had released Rs 15.2 crore for the development of 152 naxal-affected villages in 11 districts.

Addressing presspersons at Karkala, Udasi said each gram panchayat in the naxal-affected areas would get Rs 10 lac for the implementation of development works. The Government allotted Rs 4,319.30 crore for rural development in 2006-07 as against Rs 1,594 crore for 2005-06. This money would be distributed among gram, taluk and zilla panchayats.

Earlier, gram panchayats were given 20 per cent of the funds, 30 per cent for taluk panchayats and 50 per cent for zilla panchayats. Now gram panchayats would get 48 per cent, taluk panchayats 23 per cent, and zilla panchayats 29 per cent. Gram panchayats would be strengthened by giving them more powers, the Minister said.

He said Rs 600 crore had been allotted to implement the Gram Swarajya Scheme to develop gram panchayats in 39 most backward taluks identified by the Nanjundappa committee. A sum of Rs 38 lac would be spent on each gram panchayat for the next five years. The Minister said Rs 18 lac would be given to each taluk to build a "Samartya Soudha" and Rs 3 lac to purchase equipment. Centres would be opened in Hubli, Davangere and Gulbarga to train members elected to gram and taluk panchayats.