JOIN USApparently upset over ‘dilution of power’, a delegation of zilla panchayat members met Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar in Bangalore and urged him not to vest legislators with all the powers, especially with regard to implementing developmental works at the ZP level.
Briefing reports about the meet, ZP vice-president D V Harish told mediapersons here on Friday that the ZP should be given powers to prepare and implement the action plan of the Rural Water Supply Scheme among other programmes.
MLAs empowered
He said that the government has transferred the powers to legislators leaving the ZP members ‘powerless’.
As a result, most committees headed by legislators have the authority, making the ZP members a namesake, he observed. This further restricts them (ZP members) from responding to people’s problems.
The delegation urged Shettar to give responsibility of preparing action plans with regard to development of road and bridges to zilla panchayat, besides, selecting beneficiaries under various housing projects.
Apart from it, projects worth Rs five lakh should be excluded from the tender process conducted by the ZP instead allow the ZP to work in piece work contract.
The Chief Minister was urged to release more grants to drinking water supply, development of rural roads and minor irrigation facility.
The members also demanded the chief minister to increase the price limit to purchase vehicles.
ZP members Mutyalamma, Chowdeshwari, G S Amarnath, M S Anand and others were present.