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State accused of sidelining ZPs

KORAPUT: Members will boycott the zilla parishad meeting to be held on January 25 to protest against the State government’s “apathy to delegate powers as enjoyed by members in other States.”

At a meeting held under the leadership of ZP chairman Ashok Kumar Pangi, the members discussed the extent to which the government devolved powers and felt that the zilla parishad was sidelined in most of the developmental initiatives.

“The Koraput ZP has not been taken into confidence even while preparing district plans,” they felt.

Though given the responsibility of 11 departments, the ZP had no power vis-À-vis planning and execution, Mr. Pangi alleged.

Members had no funds like MPLAD or any special funding sources because of which they were not able to get in touch with the masses, he said.

The government should include the parishad in developmental activities by routing at least 40 per cent funds through it rather than spending directly, Mr. Pangi said.

The Zilla Parisahd would again meet on January 19 to finalise its stand as a prelude to the State-level meeting of the ZP presidents at Bhubaneswar.

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