AP CM,Aiyar sign document on devolution of powers to PR institutions

Hyderabad, Apr 21 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and Union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today signed a ''Statement of Conclusion'' on devolution of powers to Panchayati Raj institutions at the end of the four-day visit of Mr Aiyar to the state.

In a joint press conference here, Dr Rajasekhara Reddy said the state government had decided to transfer ten of the 29 subjects mentioned in the Eleventh Schedule including Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, Welfare of Weaker Sections, Agriculture, Education, Drinking Water, Poverty Alleviation, Women and Child Welfare, Health and Social Welfare in a phased manner. He also said that the rest of the subjects would also be transferred to the PR institutions.

Mr Aiyar, who has toured Adilabad, Chittoor, West Godavari and Krishna districts, was appreciative of the functioning of Panchayati Raj institutions in the state. He said he was amazed at the way in which elected women heads of PR institutions were conducting themselves.

He said the self-help groups in which Andhra Pradesh stood first in the state were largely responsible for all the confidence among women. He, however, suggested to the government to bring a clear cut demarcation between the three tiers of the PR system. Mr Aiyar said he had so far visited 11 states including Andhra Pradesh and found the Panchayati Raj institutions in these states to be more vibrant.

UNI JRK SY KN2302