CONTITUTIONAL issues underlie the deadlock that persists in Plachimada. More specifically, the entire debate is centred on the rights of panchayats. Not only is the Perumatty Grama Panchayat pitted against the Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Private Limited (HCBPL) and the Kerala government, it is ironically having to take on the local self-government department also. In fact, it was the latter's directive to have the matter investigated afresh by officials of other departments that prompted the panchayat to file a writ petition in the HC. In doing so, it asserted its rights under article 243 G of the Constitution of India.

The article vests powers in the state governments to endow panchayati raj institutions with the authority