The Prime Minister has called upon the states to ensure decentralization of power under panchayati raj system becomes a reality. Addressing a function to mark National Panchayati Raj Divas 2013 in New Delhi Wednesday morning, Dr Manmohan Singh said elected representatives should get their powers and responsibilities in real sense of the term. This should not remain mere a slogan but turns out to be a reality in our life time.

On complaints about the bureaucracy of the centre and states still unwilling to share its powers with elected local bodies, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made a strong pitch for an immediate change in the mindset.

Dr. Singh assured all possible Central assistance to the states to make development process more inclusive and sustainable. He said that participation of local people has increased in panchayats. People have become more aware about politics by strengthening panchyat.

He said that 15 States have reserved 50 per cent seats for women in Panchayats which have helped more than a million women to get elected to the local bodies.

The Centre has allocated over six thousand four hundred crore rupees in the 12th five year plan for panchayats which is about ten times higher than the allocation in the 11th plan.

He lauded late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi for his initiatives to bring Panchyati Raj.