Leave out irrigation, street lights from power tariff rise: Panchayats

Chennai:

Panchayat presidents on Friday urged the state government to leave out irrigation sector and the street lights from the proposed hike in power tariff besides sought repeal of Section 205 of Panchyat Act that curbs the freedom of the elected panchayat leader.

In a memorandum, the panchayat presidents belonging to Confederation of Federations of Elected Presidents of Panchayat government – Tamil Nadu, Tamil Nadu Federation of Women Presidents of Panchayat Government, Tamil Nadu Dalit Panchayat Presidents Federation and Tamil Nadu NGO Alliance for Empowering Panchayat government said the power tariff rise will affect the farmers and government should leave out irrigation sector and street lights from the proposed power tariff hike.

M P Veeraswamy president of Manemai panchayat said that Section 205 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act restricts the powers of elected representatives in panchayats and it should be repealed. He said the alternative is to strengthen the district panchayat institution and revolve democratic process at the district panchayat level to monitor the functioning of village panchayats and panchayats at the union level.

Advisor to Tamil Nadu Federation of Women Presidents of Panchayat Government Jesurethinam urged the government to examine entire budget making process. “The present budget structure of 10.5 per cent of devolution of state tax revenue to the local bodies is not up to the recommendation of the 3^rd State Finance Commission. “It must be redefined so that 30 per cent to 50 per cent of all state government budgetary resources are transferred and allocated to local government.

The panchayats also urged for more workforce to monitor the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gurantee Act. “Currently there are only eight people to monitor a panchayat union which is not enough,” said Jesurethinam, adding that NREGA list should also include agricultural work so that shortage of farm labour can be resolved.

Duraivelu of Melemur panachayt in Kanchipuram district said the panchayats don’t have freedom to appoint the beneficiaries of Green House sheme and urged the chief minister to look into the issue.