Date:01/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/01/stories/2007070154650400.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Protest by gram panchayats

BANGALORE: Many of the 5,632 gram panchayats in the State remained closed on Friday in response to a call by the Panchayati Raj Hakkottaya Andolana to protest against the recent amendment to the Panchayat Raj Act, 1993.

The campaign is demanding the withdrawal of the amendment, which curtails the constitutional rights of gram sabhas to identify beneficiaries for housing and other government schemes.

— Staff Reporter