Other States - Puducherry   

Panchayat chiefs’ meet from April 22

PUDUCHERRY: Heads of panchayats from all States will be a given a chance to discuss the state of affairs of local bodies in the country at a three-day national convention beginning from 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 would 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 at 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 provided the road map to make Panchayati Raj institutions more efficient and functional, he said, adding that the State Governments had every right to “amend, reject or modify the charter.”

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

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

“Panchayati Raj system yet to be fully strengthened”
Go for civil services career, students told
Cable operators want entertainment tax to go
Train frequency increased
Students land in plum jobs
Convention of panchayat chiefs from April 22
Aiyar favours more cooperation among Asian countries
Panchayat chiefs’ meet from April 22

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu