Set up separate court to probe irregularities in local bodies: Panel

Addressing the mediapersons here on Tuesday, Task Force Chairperson A G Kodgi said the Union government had filed an appeal in the Supreme Court seeking a separate court to probe misappropriation of funds in various Government schemes including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) besides inquiring those involved in it.

Andhra Pradesh has already issued an ordinance in this regard and the State government should consider it, as it helps in effective implementation of the schemes, he added.

Profit sharing
The chairperson said the Commission had recommended the State to provide 33 per cent from its net profit to the local bodies - 23 per cent to panchayats and 10 per cent to the urban local bodies.

Besides, the Commission has also suggested the gram panchayats and the urban local bodies to focus on revenue mobilisation and plug pilferage of revenue.

Recruitment
Kodgi further said the panel had identified problems affecting mobilisation of revenue and provided suggestions to check it.

Besides, recruitment of secretary and other essential and experienced staff is also one of the major suggestion by the commission.

Observing that officials alone are blamed for failure of projects, the panel is of the opinion that even public representatives too are responsible.

However, onus is on the project development officer and people’s representatives to work according to the law.

An annual grant of Rs six lakh is given to every panchayats but this should be divided according to population, recommended commission.