The Left Front Government in West Bengal came under attack at a Congress convention here on Friday for siphoning off funds meant for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to build party offices. Speaking at the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Convention here, Manas Bhuiyan from the West Bengal Congress said the Left parties had taken the “fullest advantage” of the process of devolution of powers “for their own benefit”. He accused the Left parties of siphoning off money meant for panchayats to build their own party offices.“When they came to power, they had only 200 party offices in the state. Today, they have 72,000 party offices. And there are no buildings for schools in the state,” said Bhuiyan. He claimed the Left parties had diverted funds meant for the National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme for party activities during the recent panchayat elections.“The Left Front Government has brought in legislative changes to give itself a political advantage at the local level of governance. Their prime aim is that the Congress and the other parties are not allowed to work freely in the state. They want to ensure that everyone is in the clutches of the Marxists,” he said.Meanwhile, Congress president Sonia Gandhi emphasised the need to empower the PRIs to ensure that benefits of the country’s economic growth trickle down equally to the rural areas. In an era of globalisation and rapid economic growth, it was essential that the voice of panchayats is heard, she said in a message to Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Convention here. Her observation came amidst the Left’s constant criticism of the UPA Government on the ground that the country’s economic growth was not benefiting the aam admi.In her message, Gandhi said Panchayati Raj leaders should have a say in shaping development policies so that grassroot needs and aspirations were taken care of. Noting that strengthening the PRIs was a cause close to late Rajiv Gandhi’s heart as it is to hers, Gandhi said empowerment of PRIs was crucial for the healthy functioning of democracy.The convention was attended by Union Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shanker Aiyer, AICC general secretaries and PCC presidents.
