Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Empower panchayats

Sir, — In his article, "Funding for panchayats" ( April 21 , 22 ), George Mathew has rightly pointed out that MPs and MLAs are "votaries of centralisation". Not only in the Local Area Development Schemes but also in other sectors, the presence of the legislators is more than what is required. This narrows down the distinction between the legislature and the executive. This is one reason for corruption in public life. Ideally, the function of MPs/MLAs should be limited to legislation. We have elected representatives in panchayati raj institutions to implement welfare measures and policies. It is essential to empower them.

P.R.V. Raja,
Pandalam, Kerala

Sir, — This has reference to the article, "Working of MPLADS", by Era Sezhiyan ( April 24 ). As pointed out by the author, the report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General on the working of MPLADS indicts the MPs, exposing irregularities, mismanagement and pilferage. Similar shortcomings are noted in the MLA Local Area Development Fund Schemes also. It is time the two schemes were discontinued and the funds transferred to augment the financial resources of the panchayati raj institutions.

C. Ramesh,
Keeramangalam, T.N.

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