A Zilla Panchayat meeting held here on Friday resolved to utilise Rajiv Gandhi Panchayat Sashaktikaran Award money for the development works aimed at enhancing the quality of life in rural areas.

At the meeting, chaired by Zilla Panchayat President Kavitha Belliprakash, the members discussed on the utilisation of Rs 30 lakh award money received by the Zilla Panchayat.

New-elected MLC M K Pranesh, members H C Kalmaradappa and Rekha Huliyappa Gowda said that the award money should be used for a permanent work. However, the Congress members demanded that the award money should be used for supplying drinking water, repair of school buildings and construction of toilets in community halls.

The Zilla Panchayat president said, “The Zilla Panchayat has received the award with the efforts of its members. It will be better if a full-fledged building is constructed for the members. If it is released to constituencies, then no permanent work can be initiated.”

Refusing to accept her suggestion, members J D Lokesh, Anantha, Arekudige Shivanna, Sringeri Shivanna and Suchitra Narendra said, “Several works are incomplete in various constituencies. The award money should be used for the completion of emergency works.”

A majority of the members demanded distribution of award money for the constituencies. It was decided to prepare an action plan by including Women and Child Development, Health and Rural Development Departments for the utilisation of funds. Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr R Ragapriya was present.