AP Cabinet Amends PR Act, Sarpanches To Stay In Villages From Now On

AMARAVATI: Carrying forward its reformative zeal for transparancy, corruption free and fair administration besides devolution of power, Andhra Pradesh government has taken several decisions at a Cabinet meeting here on Wednesday including the amendments to the Panchayat Raj Act.

Speaking to the media, Minister for I&PR Perni Venkataramaiah (Nani) said:

• A decision was taken to disqualify a representative of the panchayat, MPTC or ZPTC even after election, if found guilty of being involved in corrupt practices and increase the imprisonment to three years with a fine of Rs 10,000.
• The duration between the notification and the election date has been reduced to 15 days to curb electoral malpractices.
• In order to empower the Scheduled Tribes, the Cabinet decided to reserve 100% seats of sarpanches and ward members in the notified areas to the STs.
• With regard to the powers of the sarpanches, the Cabinet has decided to entrust them with the responsibility of taking up sanitation and development of greenery in their respective villages.
• It has been mandatory for sarpanches to stay in the villages all the time.
• The sarpanches are also empowered to take independent decisions in times of calamity.
• All the decisions taken in the case of the panchayats would also be applicable to the municipalities.

The Cabinet decided to amend the Municipal Corporation Act and to bring an ordinance in this regard. While the election procedure to the municipalities was to an extent of 24 days, it will be reduced to 15 days now.

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