Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NR) - pics - Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Jul 17: The guidelines for maintenance of rural roads under chief minister’s Gram Sadak Yojana (CMGSY) and 12th finance commission projects were rejected by the members of Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat (DKZP) in the seventh general body meeting here, on Monday July 16. 

The members requested the state government to scrap the package system evolved for the said purpose. They objected to a move to cut the grants earmarked under the 12th finance commission for the purpose.

ZP member Sundar Gowda stated that the government had reduced the initial allocation of Rs 9.17 crore made under the 12th finance commission to Rs. 5.52 crore. He informed further, that even the length of rural roads which the panchayat body could take up for maintenance under the above schemes had been reduced.

The CEO of the panchayat A M Kunjappa pointed out that the state government through its order of June 26, 2007 had decided to take up maintenance of rural roads under the schemes through the zilla panchayat. Under a single package system all asphalted and gravelled roads in taluks would be maintained. And the package would consist of contracts in the range between Rs. 60 lac to Rs. 1 crore he added.

Gowda objected to the government having a blanket policy for the whole Karnataka region in this regard. And even stated that they should allow for certain relaxation in the policy based on grass-root realities. He even elaborated that the ZP should be given the power to prepare action plans for these schemes and the maintenance should be taken up locally.

Gowda even questioned the rationale of the government in reducing the initial allocation made for the purpose. He felt that the earlier system where the maintenance of roads was taken up after due consultation with ZPmembers and the MLAs, was transparent.

Former president Mamatha D S Gatti wanted the government to give priority to asphalting the existing gravel roads and ensure that they were motorable. In her opinion the condition of the existing gravel roads is pathetic.

Expressing concern over reduction in the outlay by the government, Venkat Dambekodi another member stated that the panchayat should draw the attention of the government through a resolution. This suggestion was accepted by the CEO of the panchayat Kunjappa.