CHENNAI: An alliance of civil society has urged the State Government to follow the Kerala model, in which planning is initiated from the panchayat level.“In Kerala, the district planning committee is popular and the planning is done from the grassroots level. We have suggested the model to Tamil Nadu Rural Development Minister K P Munusamy,” said convenor of Tamil Nadu non-governmental alliance M Jeeva.He said that Kerala was providing 40 to 50 per cent of its revenue expenses for panchayats, while in Tamil Nadu, it was only 10 per cent.Stressing the need for more powers to the grassroot democracies, the civil society members also said that though the 74th Amendment was introduced in the State, the panchayats were functioning without powers.“Political parties are unwilling to give power to panchayats. But in the neighbouring state of Kerala, a panchayat president is more of a chief minister to his panchayat,” said Jesurethinam, a member of Law Trust.Meanwhile, the alliance is planning to field candidates in 2,000 panchayats across the State during the local body elections, which is likely to be held on October.Jeeva told ‘Express’ that the alliance was also launching a campaign to support the candidates and ensure fair and free elections.The State has 12,524 panchayats. “The number of panchayats has come down from 12,618 due to their merger with corporations or suburbs. However, the wards have increased from 40,000 to one lakh,” Jeeva said.
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