Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan conference to be held on Feb 17

Udupi: The Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan and co-operatives annual conference will be held at the Town Hall Ajjarkad on Saturday, February 17 said Roshani Oliver convener of Udupi District RGPRS. She was speaking at a press meet held at the press club on Thursday, February 15.

In 2004, the Congress President had announced that the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan would be established within the Congress Party to work on Panchayats. RGPRS is a platform to build national consciousness regarding devolution of power to the people at the grassroots, by expanding their political opportunities and participation in Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies. RGPRS envisages a society where every citizen can meaningfully participate in his / her Panchayat and raise his/her voice to influence political decision making so as to live a life of dignity and equality.

It was the 73rd and 74th amendments to the Constitution brought by the then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi responsible for strengthening the panchayat raj system in the country. These amendments provided for the three-tier panchayat raj system. Until these amendments were brought, State governments were lax in holding elections for the GPs. Decentralization of powers to the rural masses through Panchayat Raj Institution was the dream of the late leader is now being realized, she said.

The Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan and co-operatives annual conference will be inaugurated by Dinesh Gundu Rao working president of KPCC. Rajya Sabha member Oscar Fernandes, MP M Veerappa Moily, district minister in-charge Pramod Madhwaraj, MLA Gopal Poojary, Vinay Kumar Sorake and others will take part in the convention, she added.

District RGPRS coordinator Dr Sunitha Shetty, assistant co-ordinator Mary D’Souza, Brahmavar co-ordinator Surya Salian, Kota Block RGPRS co-ordinator YB Raghavendra and BK Somanath were present in the press meet.