TN Local Bodies poll to be held at stipulated time: Stalin

Chennai, Aug 11 (UNI) The Local bodies election in Tamil Nadu would be held at the stipulated time, Local Administration and Rural Development M K Stalin announced today.

In his maiden reply to the debate on the demand for grants for his department, he said for adi-dravidars, tribals and women, contesting the Local bodies poll, seats would be reserved on rotation basis.

An expert committee would be formed to upgrade and delimit the local bodies.

Mr Stalin said the All Villages Anna Renaissance Scheme would be introduced this year to provide basic amenities in the villages. The 12,618 Village Panchayats in the State would get direct assistance from the State Government to the tune of Rs 2,500 crore in the next five years.

Much to the cheers of the members in the House, Mr Stalin announced a marginal hike in the MLA's Local Area Development fund from Rs one crore to Rs 1.20 crore, which was greeted with sound thumping of desks. This would entail an additional expenditure of Rs 47 crore per year.

He said the Government would institute ''Uthamar Gandhi Panchayat Award'' from this year. Fifteen Village panchayats would be selected every year for their innovative ideas and presented the award, which would carry Rs five lakh cash each, a certificate and a memento.

He also announced an allocation of Rs 35 lakh for presenting 'Manimegalai Award'' to encourage Women Self Help Groups.

The Minister said fresh census would be undertaken to identify the exact number of people living Below Poverty Line(BPL), following complaints in the 2002 census. The draft and final list would be put up at the offices of Village Panchayats for the benefit of public.

UNI GV KVV VA ND1758