Nitish advocates taxation powers to panchayats

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today advocated taxation powers to panchayats in order to strengthen them.

“Panchayats should get the right to impose taxes and also to distribute assistance money during accidents. The Bihar government is determined to strengthen the panchayati raj system in the state,” Kumar said.

The chief minister was speaking at a meeting of representatives of the three-level panchayati raj system and urban civic bodies organised at town club grounds in Madhubani, around 180 km northeast from the state capital.

He pointed out that the panchayati raj system has been granted constitutional status through the 73rd and 74th amendments, and will keep getting stronger with time.

“Many rights have been given to them, but their implementation will take some time. We need to ensure that there is a proper system in place with the panchayats to implement such rights or powers. Several posts need to be created for this at the panchayat level,” he added.

Kumar said that in the coming days people will call this self governance structure as ‘panchayat sarkar' just like the state government or Central government.

He assured all help to panchayat representatives with regard to their honour, allowances or accident compensation.  

Kumar also inaugurated a newly-built district guest house at Madhubani on the occasion.