KARAIKAL: Elected representatives of local bodies here on Sunday formed the Karaikal Panchayathraj Struggle Group (KPSG), demanding, among other things, separate union territory status for the Karaikal region.

This was one of the resolutions passed at the first meeting of the KPSG here on Sunday. It was presided over by S. Munusamy, Panchayathraj Struggle Group organiser and commune councillor of the Kurumpakaram Panchayat.

Karaikal Struggle Group convener S. P. Selvashunmugham spoke as a special invitee. The Group, formed earlier, has been demanding a separate union territory status for Karaikal.

In all, 153 out of 277 elected representatives of the local bodies of the district including village panchayat presidents, panchayat councillors and ward members participated.

Mr. Munusamy said as the civic elections had been held after a gap of 38 years, local bodies could not function effectively due to lack of infrastructure.

He also urged the Puducherry Government to allocate adequate funds as well as grant power to local bodies to fulfil the needs of the villages and the Karaikal town. He pointed out that the Panchayathraj Struggle Group would soon announce peaceful agitations to achieve its demands.

The meeting, among other things, demanded suitable amendments to the Panchayat and Municipaties Acts to confer the powers specified in the Constitution on local bodies, grant of Rs.1 crore to each panchayat and Rs.10 crore to each commune panchayat for development.

Mr. Selvashanmugham said Schedules 11 and 12 of the Indian Constitution laid down the powers of panchayats and municipalities. He assured that the KSG would extend its support to the demands of the Panchayathraj Struggle Group.

Elected representatives of local bodies, S. Munusamy, commune councillor of Kurumpakaram as convenor; M.A. Balachandar, C. Sagunthala, J. Kalaivanan, S. Maria Rosalin Sundary, K. Peruyardassan, T. Kalimuthu; village panchayat presidents of Selloor, Sorakkudy, Karukkangudy, Nedungadu, Varichikudy and Ponpethi respectively as the members of the high-level committee of the Karaikal Panchayathraj Struggle Group participated.

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