Udupi: Our Government will not accept the proposal to curtail the powers of Gram Panchayat Presidents and Members. Talks have been held with the Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in this regard, and he has assured to reject the proposal, said Minister for Social Welfare and Backward Classes Kota Srinivas Poojary.

In a statement, the Minister has made it clear that there should be no confusion among the Presidents and Members in this regard. Gram Panchayat President and Members are worried that the PDO will be given the power to sign the cheque and other powers. The Chairman was among the members.

The matter was brought to the notice of District BJP President, MLAs, Minister Poojary and the convener and co-convener of the State Panchayat Raj Prakoshta. The Minister discussed this with the Chief Minister at the BJP Working Committee Meeting. Under the Panchayat Raj system, the Minister has said that the Government will infact give more strength without curtailing the powers of the Presidents and Members at any cost, added the statement released by Rajiv Kulal, Convener of Zilla Panchayat Raj Prakoshta.