Mamata Banerjee hands out sops to panchayat functionaries

Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday showered sops on all functionaries of the three tier panchayat system — Gram Sabha, panchayat Samity and zilla parishad — and slammed the Centre for not releasing funds for various development projects. Inaugurating the two-day panchayet convention, Ms Banerjee announced honorarium for all the functionaries of the panchayat system. The chief minister’s bounties assume significance as the state is expected to go for panchayat elections in 2018.

“The CPM government was in power for 35 years and I cannot understand what they did. These people (the panchayat functionaries) work the whole time without money.” However, she cautioned them to control their greed. “Control greed, else you’ll only get five years. If you earn respect, that’ll last forever.”

Ms Banerjee announced that all the members of the panchayat system will get an honorarium of Rs 1,500 per month. This will be in addition to the Rs 150 they get from attending meetings. The honorarium of the zilla sabahdhipati was enhanced from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000, Sahakari Sabhadhipati from Rs 3,200 to Rs 4,000 and Karmadhokhyo from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,000 and the Gram Panchayat Pradhan from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. The honorarium that was given to all member of the panchayat system will be effective from March 1.

Ms Banejee also announced that panchayat functionaries and contractual workers would be brought under “Swastha Sathi” programme where they would get medical benefits.

Slamming the Centre for not disbursing funds, the chief minister said, “Our state talks less and does more work. So, stop giving lectures of wisdom and release funds. We do not want any extra money, but allocate whatever is our share,” Ms Banerjee said.