Palli Sabha needs to empower villagers
Palli Sabha, which upholds the glory of grassroots-level democracy in the country, should be strengthened and streamlined for empowering of villagers,” said the experts attending a State-level programme organised by the Gram Swaraj Abhijan, Odisha here on Saturday.
The experts including social activists, elected representatives, former bureaucrats and freedom fighters said that even after 22 years of enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, the Panchyati Raj system in Odisha is running virtually defunct.
Till date, people and elected panchayat representatives generally are not aware about their powers and functions and the meetings of Palli Sabha and Gram Sabha in almost all cases are held in pen and paper only, they added.
According to Gram Swaraj Abhijan convener Sankar Parida, the State’s people are neither empowered to participate effectively in decision-making process nor are the decisions taken at the Palli Sabha and Gram Sabha level recognised and respected. The ground reality gives a very precarious scenario, he said.
Discussing about the key objective of the programme, Parida said the Gram Swaraj Abhijan would provide political education to people and enable them to understand the powers and authority of Palli Sabha and make the Panchayati Raj system function effectively.