Delegation Appeals to Governor to Protect

the Rights of Panchayati Raj

A delegation consisting of representatives of Panchayats, civil society organisations and private development agencies committed to local self governance and decentralisation met the Honourable Governor of Karnataka, Sri T. N. Chaturvedi today (25/4) to urge him to consider the unconstitutionality and serious demerits of the Karnataka Panchayati Raj Amendment Bill 2007 and refuse his assent to it.

The Honourable Governor, responding to the delegation led by Nandana Reddy of the Concerned for Working Children that included Sri. Manohar Kulkarni (Member National Population Commission) and Smt. Suman Kolar (on behalf of Elected Women Panchayat Members Federation and Singamma Sreenivasa Foundation) said that he was deeply committed to Panchayati Raj and decentralisation and was very patient in listening to the concerns of the delegation. He wished to understand the basis of our concerns and proceeded to discuss very openly for over half an hour. He also discussed with us the concerns raised by the MLAs with regard to selection of beneficiaries and lapse of funds. He has further requested this delegation to submit a detailed note on the demerits of this amendment, including a listing of the articles of the constitution it violates.

The delegation informed the honourable Governor that the members of Panchayats in Kundapur Taluk and other parts of Karnataka have begun to organise special gramasabhas to collectively oppose this Bill and to send their resolutions to the Honourable Governor to withhold his assent to this Bill and through that, safe guard and nurture decentralisation. A huge protest rally will take place in Kundapur Taluk on April 28. Similar protests are likely to take place in other Taluks of the State in the near future and will be organised by federations of elected members of the Panchayats.

Kavita Ratna

Director – Communications

The Delegation that met the Honourable Governor:  

Sri. Ganapathi M M, The Concerned for Working Children

Smt, Kavita Ratna, The Concerned for Working Children

Smt. Kavita, Mahila Samakhya Karnataka

Sri. Lakshapathi, Association for the Promotion of Social Action

Sri. Lolichen, The Concerned for Working Children

Sri. Manohar Kulkarni, Member National Population Commission

Smt. Nandana Reddy, the Concerned for Working Children

Smt. Nagina. Singamma Sreenivasa Foundation

Smt. Suman Kolar, Singamma Sreenivasa Foundation

Smt. Suchitra Vedanth, Mahila Samakhya Karnataka

Sri. Vinod Vyasulu, Center for Budget and Policy Studies

Sri. Vinay Baindur, CASUM-M