Pony Govt to issue order to devolve powers to local body

Puducherry, Nov 3(UNI) The Puducherry administration would soon issue Government Order (GO) to devolve powers to elected local body representatives, Chief Minister V Vaithilingam said today.

Addressing a press conference after chairing a Cabinet meeting here, Mr Vaithilingam said the Cabinet has given approval for the participation of village Panchayat and commune Panchayat representatives in 22 departments.

Nothing about the Municipality was discussed in the meeting and it would be decided later, he added.

The Chief Minsiter said in areas such as social forestry, non-conventional energy and sanitation, the local body representatives could function directly, while in drinking water, power supply and medical facility they have to function along with the government.

He said the decision was taken as per the recommendation of the Ramanathan Committee, constituted to look into the issue of devolution of powers to the elected local body representatives.

UNI PAB RL AS1842