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“Panchayati Raj system yet to be fully strengthened”

PUDUCHERRY: The representatives of the village panchayats in the Union Territory on Tuesday met Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar and apprised him of the delay in devolution of powers to the local bodies.

They met Mr. Aiyar who was at the Pondicherry University to participate in an international seminar and handed over a copy of the memorandum that they had submitted to the Lieutenant Governor last month.

The members of the Confederation of Village Panchayats said they informed Mr. Aiyar about “the apathetic attitude of the territorial administration to their demand for more powers.” Later speaking to reporters, Mr. Aiyar said that it was a State subject and the Union government could only advice the territorial administration on the issue.

Asked whether he was satisfied with the steps taken to devolve powers to the local bodies by the Union Territory administration, he said, “If the feedback that I received was correct, the administration had done little to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system.” Mr. Aiyar said he would ask his officials in the Ministry to look into the issue.

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