Second phase of People's Plan launched in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 17 (UNI) Launching the second phase of People's Plan campaign in Kerala, Union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar today said there was a need to restructure Centrally-sponsored schemes so that the money reached the elected representatives.

Formally inaugurating the 11th Plan's People's Plan here, he pointed out that a major chunk of the money being allotted to States was eaten up by those who implement the scheme. While late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi pointed out that only 15 paise out of every one Rupee spent by the Centre for rural development reached the beneficiaries, the situation in Kerala was slightly better with the beneficiaries getting 22 paise.

''This shows that more effective measures need to be taken,'' he added.

Stating that the Kerala experience in decentralisation was inspiring, Mr Aiyar said many States were rapidly catching up with Kerala. There should be a consolidated effort on the part of all the States to strengthen the decentralisation process.

Pointing out that women's representation in panchayat and nagara palika institutions in the country was high with about 1.2 million members, he said the Centre would publish a comprehensive study on April 24 on the representation of women in elected bodies and the problems being faced by them.

Presiding over the function, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said that though the State had achieved tremendous progress in the area of decentralisation, there was no additional financial assistance from the Centre.

UNI