Steps to ensure panchayat polls

By C.K. Chandramohan

DEHRA DUN, JULY 8. The Centre will withdraw the incentive of 20 per cent of funds for the employment assurance scheme (EAS) to States where Panchayati Raj elections are not held on time.

Announcing this today after a review of the programmes on Rural Development in Uttaranchal, the Union Minister for Rural Development, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, expressed displeasure at the low use of funds. ``There is no paucity of funds for the right people... all you have to do is act in a way where the masses get benefited.''

The Centre would soon put all development fund data on the internet, and the public at large could buy a copy of the details from the concerned locally-posted official against a nominal payment, Mr. Naidu said.

He was appreciative of the optimistic attitude of the Uttaranchal Chief Minister, Mr. Nityanand Swami, and assured him all help for the development of the State.

Mr. Swami gave an assurance to Mr. Naidu that Panchayat elections would be held as scheduled in October this year.

Since six districts of Uttaranchal are declared as drought prone, Mr. Naidu agreed to the Chief Minister's suggestion to bring Nainital, Almora, Bageshwar, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Pauri and Dehra Dun under the Integrated Wasteland Development Project. These districts would get an additional Rs. five crores each for meeting micro need-based requirements - a total gain of Rs. 35 crores.

Threat to T.N. judge

Mr. Naidu expressed grave concern over the attacks on the house and car of the Judge, who questioned the way the DMK leader, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, his son and the Chennai Mayor, Mr. M.K. Stalin, and others were detained or illegally taken to other places against specific orders by the relevant court. ``The Centre is keeping a close watch on the situation and unless the Tamil Nadu Government acts as per the law, we will have no other course than take stern action,'' he said refusing to spell out what action was being contemplated against the Jayalalithaa Government.

Meet to empower women

By Our Special Correspondent

DEHRA DUN, JULY 8. Empowerment of the elected representatives of panchayati raj institutions, especially women members, as assured in the 73rd Constitutional Amendment is likely to get a fillip on July 11 when the Ministers concerned from all States meet in Delhi under the stewardship of the Union Minister for Rural Development, Mr. Venkaiah Naidu, to sort out anomalies and pave way to reduce the yawning gap between development and statistics churned out by `scheming' elements.

Speaking at length at the Dehra Dun Centre of the Himalayan Environmental Studies and Conservation Organisation (HESCO), a Rudraprayag-based NGO today, Mr. Naidu minced no words in exposing the half truths being publicised by certain bureaucrats and politicians. ``The Union Minister for Communications, Mr. Ram Vilas Paswan, says - he will give the internet to all districts - sadly their is no `net' (telephone) in most villages. Similarly, people claim of developing highways. There is no `way' (roads) in the villages,'' Mr. Naidu said appealing to the politicians and bureaucrats to stop playing politics with rural development and work for the uplift of the countryside or else be ready to face the wrath of the masses as well as the Centre.

Mr. Naidu asked the Mr. Swami, to involve HESCO in planning and execution of schemes aimed at empowerment of the masses. He accepted the HESCO patron, Dr. Anil Joshi's suggestion to make a consortium of well-intending NGOs and self-help groups and promote rainwater harvesting, if needed, through legislation or executive order.

Mr. Swami drew applause as he volunteered to act as an honorary salesman of the indigenous or traditional items such as incense sticks, baskets, carpets, pickles, jams, furniture made out of lantana or ringal by Self-Help Groups sponsored by HESCO and CAPART. ``I will exhibit these pieces of local handicraft in a corner of my office and try to sell them to the visitors.''

He hoped the people would forget petty differences and work together to develop the State as ``the destination'' for all eco- friendly, economically sustainable and rapid growth techniques.

The HESCO patron, Mr. Anil Joshi, hoped the Centre and the State Governments would soon act as facilitators for rapid development of the villages, by ensuring total empowerment of women panchayati raj representatives.

Dr. Sushila Rawat, gram sabha member, felt that no good could be expected as long as women panchayati raj representatives were not respected and used as `proxies' by the males... many of whom had ulterior motives of usurping public money.

Ms. Anita Dangwal, Zilla Panchayat member, felt that the Government seemed to be working in the right direction but should beware of bureaucrats who had set up parallel panchayat bodies like Van Panchayats and SWAJAL in Uttaranchal. A social audit and an audit by a Joint Parliamentary Committee would reveal the truth and also how attempts were being made to water down the efforts of the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, and the U.P. Chief Minister.

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