Sunday, August 7 2005 20:01 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thrissur: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee today (Aug 07, 2005) said Kerala had become a pioneer in good Governance in the Country following decentralisation of power and people's participation in the planning process at the grass-root level.

Inaugurating the round table conference of MLAs on strengthening panchayati raj in Kerala at Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) at Mulamkunnathakavu near here (Thrissur), Chatterjee said panchayati raj system depended on the capabilities of the elected representatives to discharge effectively their function and responsibilities.

Other states should follow Kerala model of panchayati raj. The 'most striking feature of the system was inclusion of the marginalised sections in the Democratic process.

He stressed the need for the elected representatives of parliament and assembly to work together with the members of local bodies to avoid duplication of work.

The allocations could be better utilized if they worked together. The panchayat raj institutions have to play a major role in the development of the country, he said.