The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : ‘Drop Panchayat Raj Bill’

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Drop Panchayat Raj Bill’

Staff Reporter

Bangalore: Describing Governor T.N. Chaturvedi’s returning of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Amendment Bill 2007 as a “major victory”, Nandana Reddy, convenor, Panchayat Raj Hakkottaya Andolana, said, “this is, however, only the first step in a larger battle for protecting the constitutional rights of the gram panchayat.”

The more important question is what the legislature decides to do with the Bill, she added, speaking at a press conference held here on Monday.

Panchayat Raj Hakkottaya Andolana is a Statewide campaign that began three months ago to counter an amendment to the Panchayat Raj Bill, as it was seen to fundamentally undermine the right of the local government in the choice of their beneficiaries for schemes such as housing.

“We believe that the Government should withdraw the Bill in this session itself, failing which a Statewide campaign would be launched,” Ms. Reddy said.

“We hope that the Governor’s recommendation and that of the andolana will compel the legislators to do some soul searching about their role in building a democratic foundation for the State,” Kavita Ratna of the andolana said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka