CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Prakash Karat has expressed concern over attempts “made to constrict democratic participation at the grassroots level.”
Delivering the valedictory address at the fourth International Congress on Kerala Studies organised by the AKG Centre for Studies and Research here on Sunday, Mr. Karat stressed the need to deepen decentralisation in the State. “However, efforts are being made by neoliberal forces to restrict democracy at the panchayat level in the country,” he said.
"SC judgment atrocious"
Mr. Karat termed atrocious the recent judgment of the Supreme Court to uphold the Haryana Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Act, 2015. The law, which fixes educational qualification as the criterion for contesting the local body polls, would deny nearly half of the electorate in Haryana a chance to participate in the democratic process, he said.
Mr. Karat also drew attention to the threats faced by the country’s federal system. Claiming that there has been a curtailment of States’ rights, he said the transfer of resources from the Centre witnessed a steady decline. “The BJP-led government at the Centre has wound up the Planning Commission and dismantled the National Development Council. Instead of the earlier practice, allocations are now being made by the Ministries,” he said adding that with most political parties in the country embracing neoliberal policies, States were being made to compete with each other for resources.
