The Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act Amendment Committee is planning to consult legal and constitutional experts on making gram sabhas the “final authority” in granting permission to set up industrial units.
Considering the power being wielded by corporate bodies which were “setting up industries with or without the consent of gram sabhas”, committee chairman K.R. Ramesh Kumar on Monday said it was considering the issue seriously and trying to find a solution within the legal and constitutional frameworks.
Though there is a provision for gram sabhas to pass a resolution rejecting or accepting a proposal for setting up industries or granting mining licenses, the State government had the final say.
DisqualificationThe proposed amendments provide powers to the State Election Commissioner to remove a Adhyaksha (president) or Upadhyaksha (vice-president) from office if he or she is found persistently guilty of not discharging duties.
Mr. Kumar said that “no Adhyaksha shall resign from his office or membership except on the grounds of proven physical or mental incapacity certified by competent authority approved by the State Election Commission”.
