PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The national president of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan (RGPRS) Sunil Panwar has accused the State government of destroying the Panchayati Raj system in Uttarakhand.
Interacting with the media at Rajiv Bhawan here on Tuesday, Panwar said that late Rajiv Gandhi introduced 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments to strengthen the Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies. He said that the provisions of the law have not been implemented and efforts are being made to weaken the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in the country. He said that the Uttarakhand government is not following the recommendation of the State Institute for Empowering and Transforming Uttarakhand (SETU) Aayog. The Aayog had recommended transfer of 29 subjects to the Panchayats and 18 to ULBs in order to make them self-reliant and financially viable.
Panwar said that the members of the RGPRS should work at ground level and prepare ground for a movement. He said that the ideology of the Congress party should be taken to the public and there is a need for better coordination.
The Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Karan Mahara said that the Congress party has always promoted social harmony. He said that the party has undertaken awareness campaigns ‘ Mera Vote Mera Adhikar’ and Live in relationships under the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand.
The state coordinator of the RGPRS, Lalit Pharswan said that the government is not interested in holding Panchayat elections. He said that in absence of elected representatives the development works have come to a standstill in the villages.
