Karnataka to discuss removing taluk panchayats

Rural Development & Panchayat Raj Minister K S Eshwarappa told the Legislative Assembly on Thursday that the state government will consider the possibility of doing away with taluk panchayats and have a two-tier rural governance system.

At present, Karnataka has a three-tier system of rural governance: gram panchayat, taluk panchayat and zilla panchayat.

Legislators expressed concern on how taluk panchayats are becoming stagnant without funds. BJP’s Sorab MLA Kumara Bangarappa said taluk panchayats were not receiving adequate funds. “It is better to have a two-tier system by doing away with them,” he said.

JD(S) Sindhanur MLA Venkatrao Nadagouda concurred with Bangarappa and said there was no coordination between taluk panchayats and the zilla panchayats. “The earlier two-tier system was ideal,” he added.

Such a change would require a Constitutional amendment, Eshwarappa pointed out. “We have to send a request to the Centre. We will discuss this in the Cabinet,” he said.