BJP demands Telangana govt to disclose intention behind new PR Act

Hyderabad: The State government should disclose the intention behind its decision for bringing a new Panchayat Raj Act and new provisions should be kept for the discussion before making the Act, BJP floor leader in Assembly G Kishan Reddy said here on Saturday.

He said if the government was firm on bringing the new Act in a hurried manner, there is enough scope to face strong opposition from the public. He criticised that from past three and half years, the State government diverted huge Central funds allocated to GPs and used them to adjust old dues. “The Central government sanctioned Rs 80 lakh for each GP but the government not even released 30-40 per cent,” Reddy said. He also faulted the government for not releasing funds to GPs.

He said the government nullified GP system in the State without conducting gramsabhas and the ruling party leaders and legislators were selecting the beneficiaries for various schemes which was unconstitutional. He wanted all new GPs in tribal areas should be reserved for tribals itself and the same should be included in new PR Act.