The Hindu : Karnataka News : Greater role sought for gram panchayats

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Sunday, Dec 09, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Greater role sought for gram panchayats

Correspondent

Finance panel member stresses for transparency

CHIKMAGALUR: T. Thimme Gowda, member of the Third State Finance Commission, has said that there is a need for transparency and accountability in the functioning of panchayats.

Speaking to presspersons here on Friday, he said panchayat presidents and secretaries should provide complete details of funds received and development work being implemented. Observing that gram panchayats received anywhere between Rs. 35 lakh and Rs. 50 lakh as annual grants, he sought a greater role for the panchayats with regard to fund management and implementation of projects. He said many panchayat members had complained that the staff appointed did not possess administrative experience. In many cases, bill collectors were discharging the duties of the panchayat secretary.

He said it had been brought to the notice of the commission that veterinary doctors and officials of the Department of Forests, who were completely unrelated to the Rural Development Department, had been serving as executive officers of taluk panchayats.

Pointing out that the electricity bills of some panchayats had exceed the grants received by them, he said that the commission would recommend reduction in electricity tariffs to the Government.

He said the commission would urge the Government to re-introduce the provision allowing re-appropriation of 10 per cent of the unspent funds, which normally lapse at the end of the financial year.

Regretting that methods employed to ensure solid waste management in urban areas were not satisfactory, he said lack of staff was the main reason, as there was no shortage of funds.

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