Odisha: BJP alleges state govt scuttling power of panchayats

BHUBANESWAR: State BJP president Sameer Mohanty on Wednesday alleged that the state government has started weakening the power of panchayats and neglecting the elected panchayat raj institutions (PRI) members.
Mohanty while addressing media persons here said the state government has centralized the administration instead of its decentralization. “The panchayat should decide what it can do for the development of villages, but the government is trying to control everything from the state secretariat,” he added.
He said the BJD has started using the panchayati raj system for the benefit of the party’s vote bank politics. “The state will observe Panchayati Raj Day on Thursday, but the state government is weakening the panchayati raj system instead of strengthening it,” he added.
The BJP leader further alleged that officers are taking all decisions neglecting PRI members in the state. “The Centre sanctions fund for development of panchayats, but the state government is diverting the fund and do not consult with the elected representatives of the panchayats,” he added.
He said 94 per cent of the total fund of the panchayat is sanctioned by the Centre. “Therefore, the state cannot divert its fund to other purposes. The state government has asked for Rs 10 lakh from each panchayat for drinking water project. But the panchayats can also set up drinking water projects in their area. So the government should take their fund,” he added.
Mohanty said the state government has also made Gram Sabhas defunct. “This BJD government is trying to disturb the PRIs instead of strengthening it,” he added.
BJD spokesperson Sasmit Patra said the true decentralization of power and governance to the Panchayati Raj Institutions has been done by BJD in Odisha. “The BJP is trying to unsuccessfully misguide the people of Odisha by such baseless statements. It seems the BJP is unaware about the strong positive developments and empowerment of PRIs in the state,” he added.
He said Biju Patnaik was the pioneer who brought about 33 per cent reservation for women in the PRIs in Odisha. Naveen Patnaik increased it to 50 per cent by not only empowering women but also empowering and strengthening the PRIs in Odisha, he added.
“Even many BJP ruled states do not have the kind of strong empowerment and powers that have been provided to PRIs in Odisha. BJP should learn from such bold and positive initiatives rather than indulging in wanton baseless statements,” said Patra.