Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 24: The advertisements issued by the Panchayati Raj Ministry has ultimately conveyed why government is reluctant to empower the panchayats.
For construction of different types of latrines in rural areas, the concerned ministry has Rs 2 Billion, 10 Crores and 56 Lacs available with it. If the panchayats are empowered and the proper system put in place, these funds have to be spent by the panchayats. Can the government afford it?
The advertisement says that an amount of Rs 1 Billion and 68 Crores has already been sent till December 2012 on construction of various types of latrines. This is a huge sum by local standards.
The purpose, according to the advertisement is to discourage open area defecation by the rural population. The programme, advertisement says, has been taken up to prevent pollution of water bodies.
If the entire sum is honestly spent, can the objective be achieved? According to World Bank census around 65 Crore people defecate in open in India. The state of Jammu Kashmir has its share in it. The rural people, by and large, like to defecate in open for a variety of reasons. The centuries old habit cannot change. However, the government needs to be appreciated for doing the `noble' job. But, if it is done through proper channel, it will become more effective. Will the government do the needful and entrust the job to local panchayats?
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