Thursday, February 6, 2014

Panchayat presidents demand salary and more funds


Chennai:
Panchayat presidents on Tuesday said that the panchayats are getting only half of the funds earmarked for them and it is barely enough for development works.
They panchayat presidents, who were taking part in the State Executive Committee Meeting of Tamil Nadu Village Panchayat  Presidents Federation, alleged that the panchayats are entitled to a sum of Rs 8 lakh per year but are getting only Rs 3 lakh.
Seeking the funds to be directly transferred to the panchayats, the presidents also demanded additional funds.
“Currently of the eight lakh we are provided with only three lakhs. Of these we spend Rs 25,000 every month on the manpower like librarian, sweepers and other staff besides Rs 1,000 as honorarium for panchayat president,” said the secretary of Tamil Nadu Village Panchayat President’s Welfare Association secretary Vayalur M Sadhasivam.
He said that there are also no funds for maintenance of street lights as well as other needs like water supply.
Interestingly, many presidents allege that they had promised during the panchayat president elections that they will waive water and house tax as such they have to think twice on collecting the legitimate axes.
“What we require is a salary of Rs 25,000 besides pension for the panchayat president as is being given to MPs and MLAs,” said Sadhasivam.
He said states like Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh are providing the salary to the panchayats.
“If such a measure is implemented then the panchayat president won’t resort to other means to get funds,” he added.

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