Maharashtra not in favour of doing away with Zilla Parishads

Maharashtra cabinet today appointed a sub-committee to study the recommendations of the Moily Commission on administrative reforms, as to whether Zilla Parishads should be abolished, and whether reserved seats in local bodies be rotated for two terms.

The commission had sought the opinions of the states; the issue was discussed in the weekly cabinet meeting today.

Sources said that due to the difference of opinion among the ministers on certain recommendations, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan decided to appoint a seven members sub-committee to frame the state's response.

Rural Development minister Jayant Patil may head the committee, which will be asked to submit report in 15 days.

There is a three-tier governance in rural areas -- Zilla Parishad, Panchayat Samiti and Gram Panchayat. Commission has sought dissolution of ZPs and strengthening of Gram Panchayats.

But sources said that Maharashtra government is against dissolution of Zilla Parishads.

Also, Moily Commission feels that rotation of reserved seats in local bodies be extended to two terms, as the elected representative will not get a chance to prove himself/herself in a single term.

But the opinion on this in the state cabinet is divided, sources said, as some feel that it would be unfair to other deserving candidates.