In an apparent barb at PM Manmohan Singh, Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said that "inclusive growth" would not be possible if there was no "inclusive governance."
NEW DELHI: In an apparent barb at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Panchayati Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar told the Lok Sabha Wednesday that "inclusive growth" would not be possible if there was no "inclusive governance."
Aiyar, who is reportedly miffed with the prime minister and other cabinet colleagues for not getting the cabinet nod for a massive rally to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Panchayati Raj institutions, also said his ministry was "far too poverty-stricken" to give funds to a state.
Replying to a question if his ministry could grant more funds for Kerala's people's planning at the grass-roots level, Aiyar said: "I am afraid that my ministry is far too poverty-stricken to give any funds to Kerala other than through the backward regions grants fund."
Looking at Manmohan Singh, who was seated to his left, he criticised the bureaucracy as well.
"I believe that if the funds of the central government directed towards rural development and rural welfare are planned and implemented by the panchayats (village councils), as the state of Kerala has shown, then the bank for the bulk will be much bigger.
"To the extent to which bureaucratic methods of delivery are resorted to, I am afraid, the Rajiv Gandhi syndrome of 85 paise in the rupee going into administrative expenses will persist."
Urging the government to channel the existing funds through the Panchayati Raj system, Aiyar said: "This ministry stands at the disposal of all the state governments of India to improve the efficiency of delivery and until we get this kind of an inclusive governance, I do not believe that inclusive growth is possible."
Aiyar had reportedly asked the cabinet to clear Rs.1.02 billion for conducting the public rally in the national capital to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Panchayati Raj institutions. However, he had to call off the rally, apparently due to shortage of funds.
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