Srikakulam: Sarpanches demand Central funds in panchayat accounts

Srikakulam : AP Panchayat Raj Chamber president Y V B Rajendra Prasad demanded the state government to deposit funds sanctioned by the Central government directly into the accounts of grama panchayats.

He delivered the key note address at Srikakulam District Gram Panchayats Sarpanches Association meeting held at Srikakulam on Thursday. On the occasion, Rajendra Prasad explained that the Central government sanctioned Rs 8,660 crore in the last four years based on the Finance Commission recommendations for the development of panchayats in the state. He lamented that the state government diverted these funds for various welfare schemes resulting in stalling of development in panchayats. Due to lack of funds residents in the villages were also deprived of basic amenities, he added.

Rajendra Prasad also found fault with the state government for introducing village secretariats and volunteer systems as they both threaten the very existence of panchayat sarpanches and panchayat boards. After introducing village secretariats and volunteers, sarpanches and panchayat boards lost their identity at village level, he said.

He demanded the merger of village secretariats and volunteer systems into gram panchayat boards. Gram Panchayat Sarpanches Association state president V Laxmi lamented that the YSRCP government was diluting the powers of panchayat boards at village level apart from diverting the funds meant for them to other schemes which is adding to the woes of panchayats.

Srikakulam District Gram Panchayat Sarpanches Association leaders A RamaKrishnam Naidu, Ch Dhanunjay, B Pratap and others also spoke.