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Village panchayat presidents form federation

S. Nadarajan

Sore over non-devolution of powers

Puducherry: The newly elected presidents of the 98 village panchayats in Puducherry have formed a federation to bring to the notice of the authorities the difficulties the elected civic bodies were facing for want of financial, administrative and managerial powers.

Its convener K. Nagamuthu and deputy convener G. A. Jagannathan told newsmen here on Friday that it was nearly four months since the civic polls were held to put the municipal councils, commune panchayats and village panchayats in place. These civic bodies constituted the third facet of the democratic institutions after the Central and State Governments. But in the Union Territory, the elected bodies were bereft of powers even though the Constitution earmarked 29 subjects for the village panchayats. The federation made representations to the Lt. Governor, the Chief Minister, and the Local Administration Department Secretary and also to Member of Parliament M. Ramadoss.

If there was still no response, it would only give rise to doubt that the authorities were not interested in giving powers and privileges to the elected councillors. There should be no shortsighted approach on the part of the powers-that-be. The Union Panchayati Raj Minister would be informed of the prevailing situation here and his intervention would be sought for remedying the shortcomings, they said. Presidents of a number of village panchayats were present at the press meet.

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