'Two MLCs in past 12 yrs have failed to influence govt for funds'

JD(S) candidate from Dakshina Kannada Local Authority Constituency Praveenchandra Jain said that two MLCs representing the constituency for the last 12 years have failed to influence the government to release additional funds to the gram panchayats (GP) and taluk panchayats (TP) for developmental works in the district.

The duo have failed to provide justice to the local bodies, to which they represent during their term.

Briefing mediapersons here on Monday, he said that Prathapchandra Shetty has failed to visit the GPs and TPs of Dakshina Kannada district. “The MLAs raise voice for increasing their honorarium in the assembly but none of them have raised voice for increasing the honorarium for GP and TP members. ”

It was during the tenure of Ramakrishna Hegde that Abdul Nazeer Saab, as a minister for Rural development, laid a strong foundation for the panchayat raj system.

There is a respect for the JD(S) among the panchayat members. However, later, during the tenure of Rajeev Gandhi, the power of panchayat raj system was curtailed, he added.

One candidate

Dakshina Kannada JD(S) district unit President Mohammed Kunhi said that Praveenchandra Jain is the official candidate of the JD(S). The party had issued B Form to Prakash Shetty. Though he was asked withdraw the nominations at the last moment, owing to lack of information, he had not withdrawn the nominations.

The JD(S) state unit will officially announce on single candidate contesting the election from DK local authority constituency shortly.