Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Feb 16: Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan (RGPRS) will organise the silver jubilee of the 73rd amendment in Constitution and panchayat raj and co-operatives convention, on February 17 at town hall in Ajjarkad, Roshini Oliver, district convener of RGPRS.
Speaking at Udupi press club on Thursday, February 15, Roshini said, “RGPRS is a prime part of Congress. Sonia Gandhi aimed to develop leadership quality in people’s representatives at panchayat and local institutions. Meenakshi Natarajan is the national president of RGPRS. B M Sandeep is the state convener.
“RGPRS is a platform to build national consciousness regarding devolution of power to people at grassroots by expanding their political opportunities and participation in panchayati raj and urban local bodies and empowering them.
“It has been 25 years since the Constitution of India was amended to include Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Governments (ULGs) in the federal system. Hence, we celebrate the silver jubilee of the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment Acts of 1993.
“It is important that remember late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi during the occasion. The 73rd and 74th Constitution amendments were a pivotal point for Indian democracy as it provided constitutional status to gram panchayats, municipal councils and corporations enabling them to function as democratic units of self-governance. The amendments also paved way for 50% representation of women in elections which was laid down by many state ECs..
“Chief guests for the convention would be Dinesh Gundu Rao, KPCC working president, Oscar Fernandes, Rajya Sabha member, Veerappa Moily, Congress MP, Pramod Madhwaraj, minister for Fisheries, Sports and Youth empowerment, Prathapchandra Shetty, MLC, K Gopal Poojary, Byndoor MLA, Vinay Kumar Sorake, Kaup MLA, Janardhan Thonse, district Congress president, H Gopal Bhandary, former MLA of Karkala, B M Sandeep, state convener of RGPRS, Rakesh Malli, state INTUC president and Congress’ zilla, gram, taluk and panchayat members and other party leaders will be present at the convention,” said Roshini Oliver.
Dr Sunitha Shetty, district in-charge of RGPRS, Mary D’Souza, assistant convener, Y B Raghavendra, Kota block convener, Surya Salian, Brahmavar block convener, and Somanath, Udupi block were present.