250 GPs to be upgraded

Speaking to mediapersons on Saturday, the minister said that the decision to elevate the Gram Panchayats to Town Panchayats will be taken on the basis of the report prepared by the Committee, headed by the Municipal Administration Commissioner. The basis for upgrading the Gram Panchayat is that it should have 50 per cent income from the non-agriculture sector, and the population must be above 10,000.

The minister said that his department had received Rs 2,400 crore from the State Government in the previous budget, but only some parts of it were utilised because of the election code of conduct. In the next two months, the department would complete the process of budget allocation and allotment of works through tendering, and work would commence after July, he said.