The Hindu : Front Page : Manmohan’s promise to Karunanidhi

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Wednesday, Apr 23, 2008
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Manmohan’s promise to Karunanidhi

R.K. Radhakrishnan

Issue of moving panchayats out of State list will not figure in draft charter

CHENNAI: The contentious issue of moving the subject of panchayats from the State list to the Concurrent or Central list will not figure in the draft charter to be adopted at a meeting called by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

In a letter dated April 19, the Prime Minister said:

“Please refer to your letter of March 29, 2008 raising some issues related to the National Convention of Chairpersons of District Panchayats and Block Panchayats being organised by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. We appreciate the issue that you have raised regarding a reference bringing the subject of panchayats from the State list to either the Concurrent list or the Central list in the draft charter without prior consultation at the appropriate forum. I have accordingly advised the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to ensure that this is not included in the charter,” he said. [The contents of the Chief Minister’s letter was published in The Hindu on April 20.]

“As far as the other issues in the charter are concerned also, it has been made clear to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj that while the charter may be presented at the convention, the adoption of it is subject to formal consultations with State governments in an appropriate forum like the National Development Council.

“I hope this allays apprehensions that you may have in this regard and that the convention would be attended by panchayat representatives from the State of Tamil Nadu.”

Mr. Karunanidhi said the letter came as a welcome relief. But since the time was too short, the State would not be able to participate in the meeting.

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