Siddaramaiah wants taluk panchayats scrapped

BANGALORE: Chief minister Siddaramaiah feels the present three-tier system of decentralized rural administration should be replaced with a two-tier system, by scrapping the talukpanchayats (TPs).
After the 1991 amendment to the Constitution for decentralization, Karnataka adopted three tier system - gram panchayat (GP), TP and zilla panchayat (ZP) - for rural decentralized administration.Prior to this, it had a two-tier system - Mandal panchayats and zilla parishats.
Participating at a programme here on Wednesday, the CM said it was better to do away with TPs, and retain only GPs and ZPs. The TPs do not have much work. It is enough to hold elections for GPs and ZPs. If needed, the TPs can have nominated members. It is better for reforms and finance,'' he said. Referring to the system in the state prior to the 73rd Constitutional amendment on decentralization, he said the Mandal panchayats and zilla parishats were strong decentralized administrative units. The objective of decentralized administration is to weed out corruption and ensure speedy quality work,'' the CM said.
Rural development and panchayat raj minister HK Patil said that the government wants to ensure open defecation sees an end by 2018 and every household in the state has a toilet at home. Of the last year's target of constructing six lakh toilets, we have achieved 85% progress. This year, the target is 10 lakh toilets,'' said Patil. The government's incentive for constructing a toilet is Rs 10,100.