Chennai:
Panchayat
presidents on Tuesday said that the panchayats are getting only half of the
funds earmarked for them and it is barely enough for development works.
They panchayat presidents, who were taking part in the State
Executive Committee Meeting of Tamil Nadu Village Panchayat Presidents
Federation, alleged that the panchayats are entitled to a sum of Rs 8 lakh per
year but are getting only Rs 3 lakh.
Seeking the funds to be directly transferred to the
panchayats, the presidents also demanded additional funds.
“Currently of the eight lakh we are provided with only
three lakhs. Of these we spend Rs 25,000 every month on the manpower like
librarian, sweepers and other staff besides Rs 1,000 as honorarium for
panchayat president,” said the secretary of Tamil Nadu Village Panchayat
President’s Welfare Association secretary Vayalur M Sadhasivam.
He said that there are also no funds for maintenance of
street lights as well as other needs like water supply.
Interestingly, many presidents allege that they had
promised during the panchayat president elections that they will waive water
and house tax as such they have to think twice on collecting the legitimate
axes.
“What we require is a salary of Rs 25,000 besides pension
for the panchayat president as is being given to MPs and MLAs,” said
Sadhasivam.
He said states like Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
are providing the salary to the panchayats.
“If such a measure is implemented then the panchayat
president won’t resort to other means to get funds,” he added.
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