Exempt ryots from power tariff hike

CHENNAI: Panchayat presidents on Friday urged the State government to leave out the irrigation sector and street lights from the proposed hike in power tariff. They also sought the repeal of Section 205 of the Panchayat Act that curbs the freedom of the elected panchayat leader.In a memorandum, the panchayat presidents belonging to various associations, said the power tariff hike will affect  farmers and the government should leave out the irrigation sector and street lights from the proposed power tariff hike.M P Veeraswamy president of Manemai panchayat said that Section 205 of the Tamil Nadu Panchayat Act restricts the powers of elected representatives in panchayats and it should be repealed. He said the alternative is to strengthen the district panchayat institution. Advisor to TN Federation of Women Presidents of Panchayat Government, Jesurethinam, urged the government to examine the entire budget process. “The present budget structure of 10.5 per cent of devolution of state tax revenue to the local bodies is not up to the recommendation of the 3rd State Finance Commission. It must be redefined so that 30 per cent to 50 per cent is transferred and allocated to the local government,” Jesurethinam said.They also called for more workforce to monitor the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. “Currently there are only eight people to monitor a panchayat; this is not enough,” he said. Duraivelu of Melemur panchayat in Kancheepuram  district said the panchayats don’t have freedom to appoint the beneficiaries of Greenhouse scheme and urged the Chief Minister to look into the issue.