Increased term mooted for panchayat presidents

A legislature committee has suggested that the tenure of the presidents of gram, taluk and zilla panchayats be extended from the present 20 months to five years and that provisions be included to move no-confidence motions against the ruling party in the panchayats. 

The State government had constituted the 22-member committee headed by former speaker Ramesh Kumar to suggest reforms in the present panchayat system. It submitted its report to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah here on Thursday.

The committee has recommended that all panchayat presidents be given a full tenure of five years. 

The committee has also suggested that caste-based reservations in panchayats be fixed every ten years and the fixing of quota be entrusted to the State Election Commission.

The panel has also suggested that all liquor shops be closed during the entire course of elections to the panchayat institutions and the State government bear the cost of campaigning of the candidates. 

The committee has also recommended that the anti-defection law be effectively implemented in panchayat institutions.