Date:03/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/03/stories/2008100361510800.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Chiru visits ‘best’ panchayat

Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao

Promises to empower local bodies if voted to power

To replicate ‘Gangadevipalli model’ in State if voted to power
Crowds wait to catch glimpse of actor despite heavy rain

GEESUKONDA (WARANGAL DT.): Praja Rajyam president Chiranjeevi said his party would delegate the powers and authorities due to the local bodies if voted to power. It would implement in letter and spirit the 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution and empower the local bodies.

Mr. Chiranjeevi visited Gangadevipalli village here on Thursday.

The village was adjuged the best Gram Panchayat by the Government of India in 2007 and won several awards for good governance.

The CPI (M)-dominated village has many things to its credit such as 100 per cent literacy, cent per cent enrolment of children into schools, cent per cent tax collection and so on.

The Praja Rajyam leader was here on a study tour and to learn how the people had achieved this distinction. Interacting with the sarpanch, Kusam Rajamouli, and other ward members, Mr Chiranjeevi was surprised when the sarpanch said they impose a fine of Rs 500 if people defecate in the open and stop drinking water supply if the family failed to water the plants in front of their house.

Impressed by the development achieved by the Gram Panchayat and unity of the people, Mr. Chiranjeevi said he would strive to replicate the model across the State. “The late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi made efforts to make local bodies effective, but successive governments failed to implement them.

The Praja Rajyam will delegate all the powers and funds due to them and see that every village will turn into a Gangadevipalli,” he said amid cheers.

The Praja Rajyam leader was two hours behind schedule and there was a heavy downpour.

Thousands of people from different corners made a beeline to Gangadevipalli to see their favourite film hero.