Karnataka - Shimoga   

Panchayats to implement more projects

By Our Special Correspondent

SHIMOGA, FEB. 3. With the transfer of 29 State subjects to the panchayat raj institutions, 131 additional projects have come under the panchayat raj institutions in Shimoga district for 2005-06, as mentioned in the Link Document.

The Government, in an order dated August 18, 2003, categorised the subjects to be transferred to the panchayat raj institutions, which were subsequently approved by the Assurance Committee of the Legislative Assembly.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Shimoga Zilla Panchayat, Shivakumar, said the number of projects to be implemented by the panchayat raj institutions has increased to 356 for 2005-06 as against the 225 schemes in 2004-05.

Giving details of the annual draft plan for 2005-06 at a press conference here on Thursday, he said that while 143 schemes came under the purview of the zilla panchayat during 2004-05, it would increase to 237 during 2005-06.

Similarly, the number of works that came under the purview of the taluk panchayats (62) during 2004-05 would increase to 78 during 2005-06, while the number of projects coming under the purview of gram panchayats, which stood at 20 during 2004-05, would increase to 41 during 2005-06.

Increase in outlay

Mr. Shivakumar said that with the transfer of State subjects to the panchayat raj institutions, the total plan outlay will increase to Rs. 105 crores as against Rs. 52.39 crores in 2004-05.

He said that the plan outlay includes the Central grant of Rs. 30.75 crores and the State Government grant of Rs. 74.26 crores.

While Rs. 45.77 crores will be allocated to the zilla panchayat, Rs. 23.47 crores will be earmarked for taluk panchayats and Rs. 35.77 crores for gram panchayats, he said.

He said it has been decided to approach the Government for the sanction of an additional grant of Rs. 15.68 crores. He said the non-plan expenditure will increase from Rs. 188.21 crores in 2004-05 to Rs. 261.55 crores in 2005-06.

Allocation

Mr. Shivakumar said the annual draft plan earmarks 28.94 per cent of the total allocation for rural development and employment and 27.47 per cent for education.

The subject-wise allocation is as follows: social security 14.33 per cent, health 7.29 per cent, water supply 6.43 per cent, housing 8.30 per cent, agriculture and allied activities 6.72 per cent and others 0.48 per cent.

He said the new projects being incorporated in the draft plan include Sampoorna Nairmalya to be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 40 crores. "Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas," a concept proposed by the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, will be implemented in Sagar taluk covering a cluster of 40 villages at an estimated cost of Rs. 76 crores, he added.

He said emphasis has been laid on the implementation of special packages in the three Malnad taluks of Tirthahalli, Hosnagar and Sagar, which are affected by naxalite activities.

Mr. Shivakumar said the Government has not released any funds so far in response to the request made by the zilla panchayat for additional funds for implementing development works in naxalite-affected areas.

Training

When asked whether the panchayat raj institutions will be able to shoulder the responsibility of implementing additional projects, he said it is proposed to train members and staff of the panchayat raj institutions through a satellite training programme.

The President of the zilla panchayat, Attigunda Chandrasekharappa, said he did not approve of the opposition by MLAs to the proposal to strengthen gram panchayats.

The Vice-President of the zilla panchayat, Attikodige Janakamma; the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Social Security, Bharmappa; and M.B. Bhanu Prakash, Gayathri Revappa, Rohini Nagaraj and Geetha Thirukappa, members, were present.

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