Strengthening of Panchayat at all levels can achieve India?s annual economic growth of 8-10 pc: NIRDPR former DG

Tirupati: National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR) former Director General Dr. W.R. Reddy on Friday opined that India can achieve annual economic growth of 8 to 10 percent, required to propel India into the 3rd largest and 5 trillion economies with equity, only through strengthening the Panchayats at all levels, especially at Gram Panchayat level and give the reigns of power and administration to the people through their elected representatives. Addressing at the 17th Rajiv Gandhi Memorial lecture held during the inaugural session of the two-day National seminar on Village &75: Role of Villages in national Building-Achievements, Challenges, and Solutions, organized by the Academy of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI) here, Dr. Reddy said though Dr. BR Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution, rejected the idea of Panchayati Raj becoming the foundation of our country as proposed y of Grassroots Studies and Research of India (AGRASRI) here, Dr. Reddy said though Dr. BR Ambedkar, the architect of our Constitution, rejected the idea of Panchayati Raj becoming the foundation of our country as proposed by Mahatma Gandhi, owing to the fear of discrimination against the oppressed, on the persistence of the then President of India Dr Rajendra Prasad, one line on Panchayati Raj was added in the Constitution as a State subject,?.