Holds talks with Federation: PMK leader

Puducherry, Mar 12 (UNI) Stating that the proposed bandh by the Federation of village panchayat presidents on March 15 would lower the dignity of the territorial administration, PMK parliamentary party leader Prof Ramadass today urged Chief Minister N Rangasamy to hold talks with them to find an amicable settlement.

In a release here, Mr Ramadass said the decision to organise a bandh by the Federation was 'unfortunate' and the government should shoulder the entire responsibility for it.

He said after a gap of 38 years, the local body elections were held here. However, the government had failed to devolve powers to the elected representatives and the decision to organise a bandh by the village panchayat presidents was "justifiable" eventhough it would cause hardship to the public.

Prof Ramadass said if the government continued to ignore the elected local body representatives it would amount to disrespecting the Constitution of India. Hence, under section 243(G) of the constitution 29, responsibilities to the village and commune panchayats and constitution 18 to the municipalities should be allotted.

Recalling that the Federation had already dropped a fast at the Rajiv Gandhi Samadhi at Sriperambadhur on his request, Prof Ramadass urged the administration to create a separate panchayat wing under each departments in the annual budget to be presented in the assembly later this month and ensure strengthening of the local bodies.

UNI