Panchayat an instrument to counter Maoist menace: PM

New Delhi, Apr 24 (PTI) Prime Minister of India Manmohan
Singh on Saturday said challenges posed by Maoists could be
countered by empowering rural poor and marginalised sections
through Panchayati Raj Institutions.
"We should pay special attention to ensure that PRIs
function effectively in remote and backward areas, which
include tribal areas. This will help us in tackling the
challenges such as the Maoist menace," he said inaugurating a
conference to celebrate the National Panchayati Raj Day.
Singh said participation of Panchayats in various
development programmes was essential as "they understand the
local needs."
"Panchayats not only make direct participation possible
for the marginalised section of society in governance, but
also play an important role in ensuring transparency and
accountability in the functioning of government institutions
and officials," he added.
Describing the day as "historic" for PRIs, he said it was
on this day in 1993 that the 73rd Constitutional Amendment was
implemented to enable the three-tier Panchayats to take
responsibility of governance.
"This has made decentralisation (of power) possible up to
the grassroot level. The impact of the 73rd amendment is now
very clearly visible. It has empowered the common man and
poor, and has brought about changes in the power equations in
rural India," he said.
Expressing happiness over the regular conduct of Panchayat
elections, Singh said over 28 lakh people have now officially
become part of the country's democracy through about 600
district panchayats, 6,000 intermediate panchayats and 2.3
lakh gram panchayats.
Noting that 33 per cent reservation for women has been
implemented in the PRIs, the Prime Minister said it was a
matter of pride for the country that today about 10 lakh women
work in rural India as elected representative, which is more
than the number of reserved seats.
"With the implementation of the proposed 50 per cent quota
for women in PRIs, their number is expected to increase to 14
lakh in these institutions," he added. (MORE) PTI