BANGALORE: The Union Government has selected the governments of Kerala, Karnataka and Sikkim under its scheme for awards for States with major achievements in panchayat raj. It has sanctioned Rs. 3 crores to Karnataka, which has secured the second place, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Basavaraj Horatti has said.

Criteria fulfilled

He told presspersons here on Saturday that the State has fulfilled four criteria, including regular elections to the three-tier panchayat system and delegation of powers to gram panchayats to impose and collect taxes. Of the Rs. 3 crores that the State has won, the Government will retain Rs. 60 lakhs for the promotion of panchayat raj system, and the rest of the amount will be distributed among eight gram panchayats (Rs. 15 lakhs each), two taluk panchayats (Rs. 30 lakhs each) and one zilla panchayat (Rs. 60 lakhs), Mr. Horatti said.

Agreement

He said the Government has entered into an agreement with the National Service Scheme for carrying out a cleanliness programme in villages to mark the golden jubilee year of the reorganisation of the State.

The NSS will create awareness among people in rural areas, he added.

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