THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Grama sabhas will be strengthened, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy while inaugurating the Panchayat Day celebrations here on Tuesday.
The Chief Minister said that he was holding discussions with the Finance Minister and Panchayat Minister on measures to be taken to strengthen grama sabhas.
He said the panchayats have to play a major role in solving issues during the CM’s mass contact programme.
“Many people are unaware of the government schemes. Panchayats can play a major role in giving them proper awareness about government schemes,’’ he said.
Finance Minister K M Mani inaugurated the scheme for paying property tax through post offices. ‘’Panchayat must improve their service delivery.
This government will soon introduce Right to Service Act,’’ the Minister said.
Chandy asked the panchayat representative to address the issue of waste management.
“The panchayats must take steps to construct polyhouses to promote farming. The government will give 75 per cent subsidy to set up polyhouses as well as biogas plants,’’ he said.
Minister for the Welfare of SC and ST, A P Anilkumar, released the Panchayat Raj magazine. He said panchayats, which fully utilise the SC/ST fund, will be given awards.
Health Minister V S Sivakumar released the logo of ‘Suchitwa Gramam Haritha Gramam.’
Minister for Panchayat and Social Welfare M K Muneer presided over the function.
Urban Affiars Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali released the CD of signature song of the programme, ‘Gramayatra.’
Representatives of panchayats from various parts of the state attended the celebrations which began on Monday.
Speaker G Karthikeyan inaugurated the valedictory function on Tuesday evening.