Mangalore: Development of villages is possible only  when villagers take active part in gram sabha proceedings, said KT Shailaja Bhat, Zilla Panchayat President.

She was  speaking  at the inaugural function of a week long awareness drive on the importance of gram sabhas at the ZP  office auditorium in Mangalore on June 21, Thursday. The  programme is a joint initiative of the Janashikshana Trust,  Hunger Project,  Apna Desh Association,  Sugrama Sangha and Chittara Balaga, Mangalore.

She further said  the benefits of various programmes can also reach the villagers effectively when the latter take interest in participating in gram Sabhas.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr K N Vijayaprakash released informative pamphlets on Gram Sabhas.
The awareness programmes will be held at Balepuni, Ira, Kadeshwalya, Baltila, Amtadi and other places. Programmes will also be conducted in schools.

Among others present on the occasion were Sheena Shetty, Director of Jana Shikshana Trust and members of the various associations that were part of the programme.