Karnataka - Mysore   

Play active role in rural development, women told

MYSORE: Women members of Panchayati Raj institutions from across the State have descended in Mysore to participate in Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyan, a two-day convention to sensitise them to the key issues of Panchayati Raj, at the Abdul Nazir Sab Institute of Rural Development (ANSIRD) here on Friday.

More than 400 women members are participating in the campaign.

Inaugurating the campaign, journalist M. Madan Mohan lamented that people’s participation in the Panchayati Raj system had not been very encouraging and gram sabhas, which were crucial for rural development, were not being conducted properly.

“Even after 20 years of its inception, the Panchayati Raj system had not become self-reliant owing to lack of active involvement of people,” he said.

Mr. Madan Mohan said that women members could play an important role in bringing more women to gram sabhas and thereby involving them in the process of rural development.

He said that government schemes and programmes targeted for rural development could achieve success only when people participated in their execution.

“The country can achieve development if the objectives of the Panchayati Raj system are effectively implemented,” he said.

Manjula, Director (Amenities), Department of Panchayati Raj and Rural Development, called upon the women members to actively participate in gram sabhas and thereby play a responsible role in rural development.

She asked the elected representatives to concentrate more on issues such as drinking water and roads in rural areas.

“You should identify the places which need roads and ensure proper drinking water supply by taking up necessary works,” she said.

Ms. Manjula released the book “Mahile, Rajakiya Mattu Sabalikarana” on the occasion. ANSIRD Director-General C.S. Suranjana, Director H.S. Ashokananda and Mysore Zilla Panchayat president Latha Siddashetty were among those present.

Experts in the Panchayati Raj system and resource persons will train the members on different issues, according to ANSIRD.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Creating awareness on water conservation
Cultural event at NIE in Mysore
Five run over by truck
Inquest ordered into farmer’s suicide
‘Lay emphasis on duties than on rights’
Play active role in rural development, women told

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu