Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, April 24 2010:
The two-tier system of gram panchayat and zilla parishad in the state will be replaced by three-tier system, said state Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and MOBC minister, Md Allauddin today speaking at the observance function of the National Panchayat Day at Porompat Panchayat Bhavan.
The three-tier system of panchayat by amending the Manipur Panchayati Raj Act from the next election, the minister said adding the intermediate system of election in the panchayat has not been held in the state as the population is less than 20 lakh.
Now the population of the state is over 24 lakhs, the system can be introduced in the state.
Conducting the necessary delimitation exercise, the number of panchayat constituencies will also be increased by 30 to 40 percent, he said.
While observing that gram panchayats are not functioning well in the state, the Minister said even though there were provisions of providing funds to the tune of Rs 10 to 20 lakh in each panchayats in the state finance commission, due to non-holding of gram sabha (meeting) which in turn failed to submit project proposals, they could not avail the funds.
On the other hand, some panchayat availed the funds but all gone in the pockets of individuals.
Despite government released funds to 165 panchayats, no construction of panchayat ghars and computer sets were seen, he added.
The observance function was also attended by former member of the Vision-2020, prof N Mohendro as president and DC Imphal east M Luxmikumar and director of RD and PR, Abdul Salam as guests of honour.