Kay Pee condemns police action against PanchayatiRaj Union agitators

Chandigarh, Sep 6 (UNI) Punjab Congress President Mohinder Singh Kay Pee today condemned the 'brutal use of force' against the state Panchayati Raj Union demonstrators who were trying to reach Vidhan Sabha yesterday to submit their charter of demands to the Government.

In a release here, he said the indifferent attitude of the Punjab Government towards all sections of employees was responsible for this growing frustration among them.

The employees of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Department have been compelled to adopt the path of agitation after resorting to all channels of airing their voice for justice, he added.

Referring to the demands of Panchayti Raj organizations regarding implementation of 73rd Amendment of the Constitution, Mr Kay Pee said that Congress was committed to self-sufficiency and more powers for Panchayats but the "brutal murder of the spirit of the system by Akali-BJP Government in the recently held Panchayati Raj Institutional elections has shaken the faith of common man in these grass root institutions of Indian Democracy".

He said the Congress had already set up a separate frontal organization to look after the interests of these institutions under the banner of Rajiv Gandhi Panchayti Raj Sangathan and added he would direct its state Unit to explore the ways and means to support these Organizations.

Mr Kay Pee assured the agitating employees of all out support from Congress for acceptance of the demands of the Organization of Panches, Sarpanches and the employees working in Panchayati Raj Institutions.

UNI VKJ JS1735