Imphal, December 23: Inspite of the celebration being held for the last 15 years to commemorate enactment of 73rd amendment of the Indian Constitution which aims at enhancing the power and functioning of the Panchayat Raj institutions, in Manipur power is yet to be devolved to the Panchayat bodies, Advisor of Manipur State Panchayat Parishad L Birenyaima has observed.

Speaking at the function of 15th commemoration on enactment of Constitution (73rd Amendment Act) at the office complex of Manipur Panchayat Bhavan at Porompat today, Birenyaima pointed that devolution of power to the Panchayat bodies is essential for development of the country as there can be no real development without developing its villages.

The problems of the rural areas need to be brought to the notice of the Panchayat and it is with the main objective of ensuring equity distribution of wealth and development both in the rural and urban area that the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution had been effected, he noted.

In accordance to this Act, power has been given to all the Panchayats in other States of the country.

But in Manipur, apart from just holding the election, no real power has ever been given to the Panchayats so far and the State Government has been utilising the powers due to be given to the members of Panchayat elected at three levels, he lamented.

He said reservation of seats for the Schedule Tribes ad Castes as well as for women and other weaker sections of the society as per the provisions of the said Act is a welcome step.

In fact under the Act, planning committees have to be set up in every districts of the State along with proper guidelines for their functioning.

However, inclusion of fund for items to be taken up by the Panchayat in the State budget and its proper dispensation is essential, he said.

He also complained against not releasing the required fund although the functionaries under the items of Fisheries and Tribal Welfare have been appointed.

He recalled that as per the agreement signed between the Chief Minister of the State and Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar on October 5, 2006, the funds for the 16 items of the Panchayati Institutions in Manipur were to be released within April this year and appointment of functionaries effected within April 2008.But the funds have not be released so far, he rued.

The negligence of the Government to give power and make the Panchayati Institutions functional in Manipur shows its indifferent attitude to the developmental works of the rural area, Birenyaima charged.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Md Alauddin Khan and president of Manipur State Panchayat Parishad Sh Chaoba Singh attended the commemoration fucntion as chief guest and president respectively.

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