Schemes passed by panchayats will be approved:Raghuvansh

Patna, Oct 13 (UNI) Union Rural Development Minister Raghuvansh Prasad Singh today advocated delegating powers in the panchayat system and announced that the Centre would sanction only those schemes passed by the body.

Addressing elected representatives of panchayats Mr Singh said the Centre would release funds only if developmental schemes were passed by panchayats. Suggesting financial and administrative empowerment of panchayats, he said instead of state level planning the plans would now be prepared at the village level for viability of the schemes.

Regarding the grievances of the panchayat representatives who said they were not being allowed to participate in developmental activities, Mr Singh said such 'willful acts' of officials would hamper the long cherished goals of panchayat system.

On the alleged lackadaisical attitude of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar towards the panchayat representatives, Mr Singh urged Mr Kumar not to 'dishonour' the elected representatives. ''If the elected representatives are not honoured it will amount to a direct attack on the democracy,'' he added.

Mr Singh assured to solve the problems of panchayat representatives and stated that the right of monitoring to execution of centrally sponsored schemes had been conferred on the panchayat.

Following the 73rd amendment in clasue (G) of 243 Act of the constitution, Panchayati Raj was legally under the state list, he said and promised to talk to the state government for "rescuing it from red tape".

Later, talking to newspersons Mr Singh stressed the need for proper training of panchayat representatives.Under the 12th five year plan panchayats would get Rs 20,000 crores, of which Rs 4000 crores would be given to it anually, he said.

UNI RS PL RD 1437