he government has given utmost importance to Gram Sabha or village councils as it has made it mandatory to consult them before declaring any area as a wildlife park or a sanctuary.  The Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, approved amendments to this effect to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Describing the amendments as a progressive step, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said, this will ensure better protection of wildlife. He said the amendments propose to define gram sabha, panchayat and scheduled area, provide for consultations with the gram sabha whenever an area is to be declared as a sanctuary. The amendments also propose to make a representative of the local tribal community part of the management committee of a reserve, which could be tiger reserves, national parks or sanctuaries. The amendments also seeks to bring the Wildlife Protection Act in conformity with the Convention on International Trade in Endagered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, CITES.  These amendments provides the legal framework for the protection of various species of wild animals, management of their habitat and also for the regulation and control of trade in the products derived from wild animals and enhanced penalties for offences. Our correspondent reports that CITES is an international agreement between governments that aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Announcement

 All Gram Panchayats in the country will be connected through the Optic Fibre Cable in single phase and in two years. This information was given by the Minister of State of the Communications and Information Technology, Mr. Milind Deora in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today. He said, the government had approved the scheme for creation of National Optical Fibre Network last year for providing broadband connectivity to 2.5 lakh village panchayats through optical fibre cable.

A Mahapanchayat of over 150 khaps (village bodies) of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan has passed a resolution seeking an amendment in the Indian Penal Code to book people indulged in female foetecide on charge of murder. At present they can be sentenced to a maximum imprisonment of five years. A spokesman of khaps said that the mahapanchayat has sought support of all the khaps of north India to set a precedent to counter the social evilof female foetecide.  The Mahapanchayat organised at Bibipur village of Jind district of Haryana has constituted a 11 member committee headed by Palam based Khap leader Ram Karan Solanki to carry out a concerted drive against female foetecide. Expressing concern over the skewed sex ratio in Haryana, women residents of Bibipur village known for their fight against female foetecide said that the drive against the evil cannot succeed unless the social mindset is changed.

The government is considering a scheme to provide Minimum Support Price, MSP for the Minor Forest Produce, MFP gathered by tribals. It will help tribal people to enhance their income level and to also get assured returns . 

Panchayati Raj and Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo, while presenting his ministry's report in New Delhi said, the scheme is expected to yield good social dividend as it will provide sustainable livelihood support to the tribals.

The Minister said that 13 MFPs have been listed in the proposed MSP Scheme. These include Tendu leave, Bamboo, Mahuwa seed, Wild Honey, chironjee and Lac. The MSP will be decided by MFP Price Commission and will be implemented by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited.

Mr Deo said his ministry has also decided to start a scheme for strengthening Panchayats. It will look into the basic requirement like building, electricity, manpower and other expenses of Panchayats. The scheme will also require States to undertake reforms, devolve(pass on) funds, strengthen State Election Commissions and setting up mahila Sabha where they do not exist.

He said the awards were given to 170 Panchayats this yearfor their exemplary work in various areas of their functioning. It has also encouraged other Panchayats to follow their path.

he West Bengal Government has decided to amend the present Panchayat Act for better functioning of three tier local bodies. Replying to the Budget discussions in the state Assembly today the Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Mr. Subrata Mukherjee said that the present Act will be amended comprehensively after the coming Panchayat Elections in the state.

Mr. Mukherjee appealed all political parties to work above the party lines for effective implementation of Panchayai Raj system so that the rural people can be benefited. The Minister informed the House that the Government will soon release fresh BPL list after ongoing survey works on it.


He said the Government has floated tender for introducing Biometric cards for daily payments of wages under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. Earlier, initiating the discussions on the Budget proposals the CPI(M) member Mr. Susanta Ghosh alleged that the powers of the elected members of the Panchayat bodies are now being shifted to bureaucrats in the regime of the present Government.

Rural Development Ministry has agreed to share one percent of its one lakh crore rupees budget for strengthening the institution of Panchayati Raj in the country. This was stated by the Panchayti Raj Minister, V Kishore Chandra Deo at a function organised to celebrate the National Panchayati Raj Day in New Delhi today.
Mr. Deo said that the Ministry of Rural Development has a budget of nearly one lakh crore and out of that one percent is being given to the Panchayati Raj Ministry which means that approximately 990 crore rupees will be given to the Ministry. Mr. Deo also said that it was for the first time that the Rural Development Ministry would be sharing some of its allotted funds with the Panchayati Raj Ministry. Mr. Deo said, there is a need to strengthen the infrastructure of Panchayats in the country and the money shared by the Rural Development Ministry will also contribute to it. Mr. Deo also said that his Ministry will further strengthen the infrastructure of Panchayati institutions.

The government today said it is committed to strengthen the panchyatiraj system in the country. Speaking at a function in New Delhi to celebrate National panchayati raj day, Minister of panchayati raj and tribal affairs V Kishore Chandra Singh Deo said there are 28 lakh elected representatives in 2.4 lakh panchayats in the country.

Mr Singh Deo urged panchayats to set good practices. Admitting that panchayats lack buildings and roads, Mr Singh Deo said during the 12th five year plan adequate thrust will be given to this. He also said government is doing its best to improve the socio-economic condition of the people.UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi sent her message on the occasion.