<p>Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said there is scope to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system to ensure disputes are resolved at the panchayat level.<br /><br />Speaking at a ceremony to mark the silver jubilee of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act-1993 and the completion of four years of his government, Siddaramaiah hailed former prime ministers Rajiv Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao for bringing about the Panchayat Raj Act in the country.<br /><br />The chief minister said after the Panchayat Raj Act was introduced, village panchayats got financial powers, which led to their development. He reminded the panchayat members of their responsibility in implementing various government schemes. He also spoke about increasing the stipend of panchayat members and constructing seven lakh houses for economically weaker sections in villages.<br /><br />Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D V Sadananda Gowda stressed on the need for minimum qualifications for panchayat members so that they could read about government programmes and circulars.<br /><br />Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil and former chief minister Veerappa Moily too addressed the gathering.</p>
<p>Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said there is scope to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system to ensure disputes are resolved at the panchayat level.<br /><br />Speaking at a ceremony to mark the silver jubilee of the Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act-1993 and the completion of four years of his government, Siddaramaiah hailed former prime ministers Rajiv Gandhi and P V Narasimha Rao for bringing about the Panchayat Raj Act in the country.<br /><br />The chief minister said after the Panchayat Raj Act was introduced, village panchayats got financial powers, which led to their development. He reminded the panchayat members of their responsibility in implementing various government schemes. He also spoke about increasing the stipend of panchayat members and constructing seven lakh houses for economically weaker sections in villages.<br /><br />Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation D V Sadananda Gowda stressed on the need for minimum qualifications for panchayat members so that they could read about government programmes and circulars.<br /><br />Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister H K Patil and former chief minister Veerappa Moily too addressed the gathering.</p>
