(Saturday,
June 30, 2007)
AMENDMENT TO ACT
GPs closed in protest
DH News
Service,
Gram Panchayat
offices in several districts remained closed on Friday to protest against the
recent amendment to the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act which usurps the powers of
Panchayats.
The
newly-formed Panchayati Raj Hakkottaya Andonala which is spearheading the movement against the
amendment said its bundh call received a tremendous
response.
Representatives of the Association which claims to have the support of 60
different federations across the state, alleged that the amendment denies the
right of Gram Panchayats to identify beneficiaries for government programmes
The amendment
proposes to withdraw the powers vested with Gram Panchayats on the selection of
beneficiaries of Ashraya Housing Scheme and give it
to a committee headed by the local MLA.
It is a blatant violation of the constitution and violates the right of 5,653
Gram Panchayats and thousands of Gram Sabha members in Karnataka, they contended
The Association has already launched a signature campaign condemning the
amendment and more than 1.5 lakh signatures have been
sent to the Governor urging him not to give assent to the bill, the
representatives said.
http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jun302007/state2007062910215.asp