BARAMULLA/Srinagar,August 04(Scoop News) – Minister for Rural Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that the empowerment of Panchyati Raj Institutions (PRIs) is a befitting reply to the forces that had earlier raised doubt about the same and now in a state of frustration are trying to resort to lies and misleading people.
The Minister was speaking at a one day Interaction organized by Department of Rural Development to oversee the status of implementation of the empowerment of PRIs and also to review the various flagship schemes. Thousands of people besides Panches and Sarpanches of Baramulla district attended the function held as a part of series to monitor the orders of empowering the PRIs.
Minister of State for Rural Development, Aijaz Ahmed Khan, Minister of State for R&B, Javid Ahmed Dar, District Development Commissioner, Baramulla, G.A. Khawaja, Director Rural Development Kashmir, Mir Altaf Ahmed and senior officers of various department were also present.
Sagar said that the holding of Panchayati elections and putting in place Panchayati Raj Institutions, besides ensuring their proper empowerment is one of the landmark of the government and will serve as a watershed in the history of the State. He said that it has also served as a befitting reply to the forces who were spreading canards and propaganda against the same.
The Minister said that by empowering PRIs they have become a part of governance and we have also ensured that the power trickle down to the grass root levels which forms the basis of democratic set up and participatory role of the people is also ensured.
Referring to the long pending demand of Panches and Sarpanches, the Minister said that a proposal for giving a suitable re-numeration has been sent to the Finance Ministry and we are hopeful that a decision in this regard will be taken soon.
Mr Sagar said that for augmenting the infrastructure of PRIs and amount of Rs. 285 crore has already been released for construction of Panchayat Ghars and repairs/ renovations of the already existing ones. He said that an amount of Rs. 1 lakh has been kept at the disposal of every Panchayat for undertaking developmental works and Rs. 25 thousand for purchase of the requisite furniture.
Asking the officers to involve the Panches and Sarpanches in various developmental programmes, the Minister said that the orders have already been passed for empowering them with 14 vital departments and the government will not hesitate to take action against those who will flout the directives. He said that Additional District Development Commissioner has already been nominated as the Nodal Officer for overseeing that orders of empowerment are properly adhered to at the district level.
Minister of State for Rural Development, Ajaz Ahmed Khan while speaking on the occasion said that the government has fulfilled its promise of empowering the PRIs and now the onus lies on them to work for ensuring sustained development of their respective areas and work for the welfare of the people.
Minister of State for R&B, Javid Dar while addressing the gathering said that officers should ensure participation of the Panchyati Raj representatives in various welfare programmes and work in close coordination with them for effective implementation of these schemes.