Sikkim thrid best in Panchayati Raj

New Delhi, Apr 4 (UNI) Sikkim has been adjudged as the third best state after Kerala topping the list and Karnataka coming second in the implementation of the Panchayati Raj system in the country, Union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar announced today.

Sikkim secured 592 out of 1200 marks in an evaluation carried out by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Mr Aiyar said in the presence of Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at a press conference here.

Kerala secured 973 marks as the best state and Karnataka 679 marks as the second best in implementation of the Panchayati Raj, he said.

Mr Aiyar and Sikkim Chief Minister signed before the media a Joint Statement of Conclusions, which was arrived at after the visit of the Minis to Sikkim from March 30 to April 2, containing several points of action by the State Government and the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj towards strengthening of Panchayats in the state.

The major points of action on the part of the Ministry for Sikkim include completion of activity mapping in Sikkim within three months, undertaking a separation of the State Budget into a state sector and a Panchayat sector, financial and technical assistance to the state for stregthening Panchayati Raj and establishment of a capacity and infrastructure development window.

Addressing media persons, Mr Chamling expressed his determination to strengthen Panchayats in his Sikkim and said he had felt inspired by his State being declared the third best in Panchayati Raj implementation. He said with the Centre helping the State in activity mapping and village level planning, he was bound to give a positive result in six months.

The Sikkim Chief Minister said his state had provided 33 per cent reservation to women in panchayats, 33 per cent to tribals and 23 per cent to OBCs. Village Panchayats were being connected with good roads and each village was being provided with basic facility like water, electricity and hospitals.

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