Agitation for power devolution to civic representatives

Puducherry, Feb 5 (UNI) The Puducherry Village Panchayat Presidents' Federation would organise an agitation to press their demands, including allocation of functions to the elected local body representatives.

In a letter written to President A P J Abdul Kalam, a copy of which was forwarded to AICC president Sonia Gandhi, Federation convenor Nagamuthu and deputy convenor Jaganathan said even after four months after the local body elections, the elected representatives were not allocated their functions.

They alleged that the Congress Government had issued a Government Order to allocate functions to them. However, all the powers were wrested with the officials and this was a drama enacted by the government.

To press the demand, the panchayat presidents and others would organise an agitation in which they would ''seek alms'' at the Rajiv Gandhi Samadhi at Sriperumbudur shortly. This venue was selected as Panchayati Raj System was a dream of Rajiv Gandhi, they said.

UNI