Public interest and consent is necessary for the continuation of decentralisation system, opined Prof. V.K. Nataraj, retired Director, Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS), Chennai.

Speaking after inaugurating a State-level convention organised by Janavikasa-Karnataka at Vidyashanakar Nilaya here on Sunday, Prof. Nataraj said only because of people’s interest democracy is alive in the country and decentralisation has not reached the expected levels due to the confusion that prevails in democracy.

The three-tier Panchayat Raj bodies were facing the blame that decentralisation had also made way for corruption in the system, which resulted in people losing faith in the system. The decentralisation system that prevailed in 1980-90s were not suitable for the present situation. Hence, a model suitable for the modern day has to be created, he opined.

On the occasion, a list of demands was released by Nataraj, which urged the govt. to reinvigorate Karnataka Panchayat Parishat to initiate discussions on the do’s and don’ts of Panchayat Raj system.

The government, without initiating discussion in matters relating to Panchayat Raj, should not divest the powers of the Panchayat Raj bodies, it added.

The convention urged the State govt. to declare Dec. 19, birth anniversary of the former Minister for Panchayat Raj Abdul Nazeer Saab, as ‘Panchayat Raj Empowerment Day.’

Janavikasa Dist. President Beerihundi Basavanna presided. Social activist T.R. Raghunandan, Federation of Indian Rationalist Associations President Narendra Nayak, Janavikasa President Wilfred D’Souza, Gen Secretary Raja Hunsur and others were present.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore