Bill for panchayati raj event pruned

Hindustan Times,Nov 26,2007

By HT
Monday November 26, 12:57 AM
The Panchayati Raj ministry would have gone ahead with a Rs 165-crore jamboree marking the 15th anniversary of 73rd Constitutional amendment, but one of its own departments put a spanner in the works. The money was to come from a Rs 3,000-crore backward region grant, meant for the least developed districts in the country.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment forms the basis of the Panchayati Raj system. The ministry had prepared a note seeking the cabinet's approval to hold the two-day convention of rural representatives here on December 22 and 23. It had also written to the Planning Commission for its nod to divert money from the backward region grant. But before the note could reach the Cabinet, it sparked objections from the ministry's internal finance division. It questioned the funds estimation, asking that the figures be "realistically pruned", a ministry source said.

Following the objection, the projected amount was reportedly scaled down to Rs 102 crore in the final note to be presented before the Cabinet next week.
Cutting down the initial estimate of 5 lakh, the ministry has said it would invite 2.5 lakh delegates now. The expected turnout is 1.25 lakh. The ministry's wish list for the event also makes for interesting reading. Nearly 1,000 buses would ferry the delegates to and from nearby railway stations and bus stands to the venue. A 250-bed hospital would also be set up at the campsite and a helipad be constructed.

As the meet would be in winter, arrangements would have to be made for warm water, clothing, bedding and quilts. The construction of a convention hall to hold at least 5000 people and other arrangements, including a rally for the 1.25 lakh turnout, was estimated to cost Rs 50 crore. An additional Rs 30 crore was earmarked for publicity. Despite earlier objections by the Delhi government and its civic agencies such as the MCD to host such a big gathering, the Burari camp of the Sant Nirankari Mandal in north Delhi has been chosen as the venue.

Janata Dal-U president Sharad Yadav has sought the Prime Minister's intervention in the matter. In a letter to Manmohan Singh, he said the Centre was encroaching upon a state subject. He also said this was a wastage of public funds. "This money is being spent on a mere rally, whereas scores of backward districts like Kalahandi and Bolangir have been left uncared for," he said.