The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Sarpanches demand cheque power

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 09, 2011
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Sarpanches demand cheque power

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The A.P. Sarpanches Association has demanded that cheque powers be given back to them and said that if it were not done, they would move the courts seeking justice.

At a press conference here on Wednesday, association Convenor Ch. Satyanarayana Reddy said that they were ready to approach the courts on the issue, to get back the power that was removed from them.

“Depriving us elected representatives of the cheque power is an insult that we cannot suffer any longer,” he said, asking for the order No. 10119 issued by the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department in this connection to be scrapped.

Mr. Reddy said that it was under the direction supervision of Sarpanches that important works like drinking water and sanitation, for which a sum of Rs. 300 crore was allocated, was taken up in the villages.

He regretted that treasuries in the districts had been asked not to release the funds for the purpose, through the Sarpanchs.

The said order No. 10119 stipulates that no decisions having financial implication can be taken exceeding one-fourth of the annual plan for the year.

The monetary restriction includes existing commitment of all ongoing and spillover works of all schemes, any purchases and any other decisions involving present and future financial commitments. It also proposes that funds under all schemes be operated by the Sarpanch with the joint signature of the Panchayat Secretary.

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

Andhra Pradesh