The New Indian Express 22.09.2010
Three-member panels to rule civic bodies
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three-member administrative committees would rule the panchayats, municipalities and corporations in the State for a month before the newly-elected bodies take over on November 1, it is reliably learnt.According to sources, the administrative committee would consist of the secretary of the local body and other two senior officials. The need for the administrative committee arose as the existing local bodies are set to complete their five-year term on September 30 and newly-elected ones are to take charge only on November 1, owing to the delayed elections.
Though the administrative committee would be empowered with all the powers of the elected local bodies, there is least possibility of the committees taking any policy decisions, sources said.
Issues which require policy decisions would be left to the newly-elected local bodies.
The government had mooted the idea of temporarily handing over the reins of local bodies to District Collectors and Deputy Collectors, but it was dropped as their hands were full, owing to the conduct of elections. The Government Order constituting the three-member administrative committees is expected in a day or two, sources told `Express. ‘
