Date:30/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/30/stories/2008033060220900.htm

Tamil Nadu

Woman panchayat presidents’ plea

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Representatives of the Federation of Women Presidents of Panchayat Government have demanded that certain budget heads be transferred and brought under the three-tier panchayat governance. These include education, medical and public health, water supply and sanitation, housing, welfare of the SC/STs and OBCs, nutrition and midday meals.

At the end of a two-day State committee meeting held here recently, they have called on the government to treat the panchayat government as an independent Constitutional body. Even the devolution of minimum resources, as recommended by the Third State Finance Commission, had not been sanctioned, they said.