Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 04:
Union Minister of Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs and Sports Mani Shankar Aiyar has assured that along with devolution of power, additional funds would be released for smooth functioning of the Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) in Manipur.
Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural function of the two-day long Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan at GM Hall here today, the Union Minister informed that he had talked with the State Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh in this connection and learnt about the problems of faced by the PRIs.
From now on, the Centre and the State Government will be in touch to redress the grievances and other infrastructural needs of the PRIs in Manipur, the Union Minister assured, adding that his Ministry will also be taking up training programmes for capacity building measures specially for the women representatives of PRIs.
Stressing on participation of more women representatives in functioning of the PRIs, the Union Minister noted that the Parliament passed a Bill some years back reserving one-third of the seats for women.
The Union Minister also disclosed that in States like Karnataka women constituted 44 to 47 percent of the representatives in PRIs whereas in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep participation of women goes up to 62 percent.
With devolution of adequate power to the PRIs, the Union Minister hoped that women representatives of Manipur would also be able to contribute their mite.
Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and RD &PR Minister Md Allauddin Khan were president and guest of honour of the programme organised by Manipur State Women Development Corporation, PR Department under the sponsorship of Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Youth Affairs and Sports.
In his presidential address, Ibobi said after looking into the recommendations to be adopted during the two-day long programme, a joint declaration was issued to announce the devolution of power to the PRIs.
He clarified that State Government has no objection to giving power to the PRIs, but it could not been implemented for long as the State Government was bound to follow certain guidelines of the Centre as a consequence of the debilitating financial position of the State.
Lastly, he appealed to the PRI members not just to press for their demands but also to understand their corresponding duties.