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Convention of panchayat chiefs from April 22

PUDUCHERRY: Heads of panchayats from all States will be given a chance to discuss the state of affairs of local bodies in the country at a three-day national convention beginning April 22, Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar said on Tuesday.

The National Convention of District and Intermediary Panchayat Presidents is being organised to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 73rd constitutional amendment. “We have asked all the State Governments to send a delegation to Delhi to attend the national convention. They will be allowed to participate in open-end/open-house discussion,” he told reporters.

Mr. Aiyar was here to participate in an international seminar on ‘Emerging Challenges in South Asian Regional Cooperation, organised by the Department of Politics and International Studies of Pondicherry University.

A charter of demands prepared at a meeting of representatives of all panchayats held last month in New Delhi would be handed over to the Prime Minister on April 24, he said.

The charter provides the road map to make Panchayati Raj institutions more efficient and functional, he said, adding that the States had every right to “amend, reject or modify the charter.”

Mr. Aiyar said the Prime Minister had promised to include the subject of Panchayati Raj at the next National Development Council meeting.

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