Delegate more powers to ZP officials: Aiyar

Pune, Jun 16 (UNI) Union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today said delegating more responsibility and powers to the Zilla Parishad officials could ensure the success of Panchayati Raj.

Mr Aiyar was speaking at a review meeting of the Panchayati Raj at the Zilla Parishad here.

The Minister observed that there has to be tight fiscal controls and proper selection processes for the officials and only then can the Panchayati Raj succeed, a dream of Mahatma Gandhi.

He said there were good Panchayati Raj traditions in Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Mr Aiyar said on June 18, he will meet the state Chief Ministers and other leaders to discuss ways to strengthen Panchayati Raj, when he will discuss various issues like filling of vacant posts for Gram Sevaks, Planning Committees for Districts, Powers of Officials and hike in wages.

Zilla Parishad officials and local leaders attended the meeting, which was disrupted by a few Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) activists, who gave slogans against Mr Aiyar for his views on Veer Savarkar. The meeting was chaired by ZP President Vaishali Aabne.

UNI