Karnataka Bank to adopt a Gram Panchayat

Udupi, Oct 7 (UNI) Karnataka Bank, the Mangalore- based private sector bank has decided to adopt Amasebail Gram Panchayat in Kundapura Taluk of Udupi district to make it a 'Model Gram Panchayat' with integrated development, announced Mr A G Kodgi, the president of Amasebail Charitable Trust (ACT) and Chairman of 3rd Karnataka State Finance Commission here today.

Addressing the press conference he said the trust has proposed to spend Rs 50 crore for thenext five years for the overall development of the panchayat comprising three villages. As per the survey conducted by the newly formed trust, there were 355 Below Poverty Line (BPL) families and 571 poor families out of the total 1600 families. The trust had identified drinking water.

Motorable roads and hostels for girls and boys as its top priorities among others such as pakka house and toilet, electricity, primary and high school education, insurance and employment to every family and availability of nutritious food and healthcare to all BPL families.

He said financial resource would be sought from MLAs and MLCs from the undivided district besides from charitable institutions like Dharmastala Rural Development Trust, Navodaya Charitable Trust, Bharatiya Vikas Trust and through government sponsored schemes.

Mr Kodgi said Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa would inaugurate the newly formed trust and its rural development schemes and launch the adoption of the gram panchayat by the bank on October 10 in which Union Minister for Labour Oscar Fernandes, among other dignitaries, are expected to participate.

Replying a query, he said the report of the commission would be submitted to the government by the end of December next with suggestions like need for the government to enhance the funds to the panchayats, lacunae existed in the present system in the Rural Development and Panchayatraj system and need for strengthening and empowering the panchayatraj system and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) with more administrative and financial powers.

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