MANGALORE: The State Government has plans to amend the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Act to ensure that reservation of constituencies for election to panchayati raj institutions remain unchanged for ten years.

Speaking at a convention of presidents, vice-presidents and members of gram panchayats of Mangalore taluk here on Tuesday, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj C.M. Udasi said the Government had observed that some members of panchayati raj institutions had developed a notion that they need not work for the constituency from where they had been elected as the Government may change the reservation of that constituency for the next election.

This attitude had affected development works, Mr. Udasi said. To change this, the Government was planning ensure that reservation of constituencies remain unchanged for ten years.

The Minister said that though the law had provided for members of weaker sections to occupy the positions of president and vice-president of panchayati raj bodies, some elected members were not making use of this.

The Government was contemplating appointing administrators to such bodies if the posts of president and vice-president fall vacant, he added.

There were plans to incorporate this aspect while amending the Act to prevent influential persons from cornering power, Mr. Udasi said.

C and R Rules

Mr. Udasi said the Government would frame cadre and recruitment rules (C and R Rules) for employees of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department within three months.

Ombudsman scheme

The State Government is thinking of introducing an ombudsman scheme to check irregularities in panchayati raj institutions, Mr. Udasi said.

He said the Assistant Commissioners would inquire into complaints on irregularities reported in gram panchayat bodies.

The Deputy Commissioners would inquire into complaints on irregularities reported in taluk panchayats.

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