Panchayat functionaries feted

Bhopal, Jan 23 (UNI) Panchayats and panchayat functionaries who were elected unopposed were felicitated with cash awards by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here yesterday.

Unopposed election took place in 800 of the total 23,000 panchayats in the state.

Under the scheme, cash award of Rs 25,000 is given to gram panchayats whose Sarpanchs are elected unopposed, while Rs one lakh is given to gram panchayats whose Sarpanch and all panchas are elected unopposed. Gram panchayats having all female Sarpanch-panchas are given award of Rs 2 lakh.

The award amount is directly deposited in the account of gram panchayat and it will be spent as per the panchayat's proposal.

Mr Chouhan announced that the government would consider enlargement of the award scheme. He also announced sanction of Rs 10 crore for constructing a Panchayat Bhawan at Bhopal for providing lodging facility to panchayat office-bearers.

UNI