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Panchayats seek more powers in Rajasthan

JAIPUR: Elected representatives of Panchayati Raj institutions in Rajasthan have demanded more rights and allocation of financial resources for implementing schemes under the 29 matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. Panchayats are still dependent on the Government with the real powers yet to be transferred to them.

About 400 panchayat representatives from Jaipur, Tonk, Dausa, Baran and Barmer districts, attending a convention here over the weekend, said though the panchayats could formulate policies and schemes, they had no authority to execute them.

“Such a provision is meaningless as it does not benefit anyone,” said Jaipur Zila Pramukh Ramgopal Guard.

The day-long convention was organised by the Kisan Seva Samiti Mahasangh, the Centre for Community Economics and Development Consultants’ Society (CECOEDECON) and the Hunger Project.

While the participants called for tabling in the State Assembly of the report of the Kataria Committee appointed in 2004 for devolving powers to the Panchayati Raj bodies, those addressing the convention pointed out that the rights on pasture land, holding of regular gram sabhas and appointment of more women Panchayat Secretaries were equally important.

State Social Welfare Board chairperson Saroj Kanwar said the provision for disqualifying a candidate for panchayat elections on having more than two children should be extended to the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections as well.

A resolution adopted at the convention demanded that the panchayat bodies be made self-reliant to achieve the goal of “Gram Swaraj” and provided with adequate funds to plan out their activities for development of villages.

Others who addressed the convention included Tonk Zila Pramukh Ramvilas Chaudhary, Malpura panchayat samiti Pradhan Rajesh Nagaura, Niwai Pradhan Tulsa Devi, and the chairperson of Chaksu Municipal Council, Nirmala Devi.

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