State Cong. willing to reconsider stand on PR set-up: YSR

By Our Correspondent

MAHABUBNAGAR, MAY 20. The Congress Legislature Party leader, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, said that the State unit of the Congress was willing to reconsider its stand on the proposed amendment to change the five-tier Panchayat Raj System into a three-tier one.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy was addressing a press conference today after participating in a dharna in front of the office of the Collector, organised by the district Congress in protest against the price rise and ``the failure of the Government'' in tackling the drought situation. Admitting that the Congress was a party to the resolution adopted by the Assembly seeking constitutional amendment, the CLP leader said there was need for more discussion on this subject. Referring to the recent meeting held by the Congress in Delhi on this subject, Dr. Reddy said party leaders from all the other States were of the opinion that the existing five-tier system worked well. After a lengthy discussion the meeting felt that the nodal system introduced by the TDP Government was eroding the powers of the PR bodies. When all the other States were of this opinion, the APCC could not shut its doors on more interaction and discussion, Dr. Reddy observed. Saying that the State Government should not use this standoff as a pretext to postpone elections, Dr. Reddy demanded elections to local bodies at least by July.

Asked why the Congress had not officially reacted so far to the Supreme Court ruling in the Alamatti dispute, Dr. Reddy said his party was awaiting the official reaction of the Chief Minister. ``The Chief Minister is yet to react. But, on the face of it there is nothing to rejoice for us over the Apex court verdict. Little or more it is beneficial to Karnataka only,''Dr. Reddy observed.

He said there was clear laxity on the part of the Government in tackling the severe drought situation and it was evident in the Government not having a contingency plan even now. Admitting that he used harsh words against the Chief Minister reacting to the letters statement that the Government was not giving ex- gratia to the kin of farmers who committed suicide at it would encourage others, Dr. Reddy said even his harsh words could not change the attitude of the Government.

Dr. Mallikarjun, former PCC chief, Dr. Mallu Ravi, former MP, Dr. Khaleel Rehman, former MP, Dr. P. Shankar Rao, Dy. CLP Leader, Dr. G. Chinna Reddy, MLA Wanaparthy, Mr. G. Gurunath Reddy, MLA Kodangal, Mr. J. Krishna Ray, MLA Kollapoor, Mr. S. Jagadeshwar Reddy, District Congress Committee president, and other leaders participated in the dharna.

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Section  : Southern States
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