INDIA AND MEXICO AGREE TO SHARE EXPERIENCE
ON PANCHAYATI RAJ SYSTEM
India and Mexico have agreed to share their
experiences in the Local Self Government in rural areas. This
was agreed at a meeting between the visiting head of the Presidential
Office of Mexico Dr. Carlos Flores Alcocer and the Rural Development
Minister Shri Shanta Kumar here today. Dr. Alcocer who visited
some rural areas was impressed with the Water Management System
in Rajasthan. Both leaders agreed that, without the participation
of people, genuine change at the grass root level is not possible.
He said, Mexico, which has only 25 per cent of its population
living in rural areas, has water and sanitation problems. He said
although people want change, the politicians have been resisting
change for the fear of loosing their clout and power.
Giving an over view of the schemes and policies, Shri Shanta
Kumar said, we have been able to provide drinking water to over
98 per cent of the habitations. India has also made dent on rural
poverty through a series of policy measures aimed at providing
employment. He said, government also encourages self-employment
through the provision of loans and grants. Shri Shanta Kumar pointed
out that the three tier Panchayati Raj System adopted by India
has helped in empowering the women and weaker sections of the
population besides increasing community participation in the development
process.
