Kathua/Jammu, October 20 (Scoop News) –J&K Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Wednesday underlining the importance of devolution of power to the grass roots and said that his government was determined to hold Panchayat elections in the State.
The Chief Minister was addressing a large public gathering at Abtal near Vijaypur about 40 kilometers from Jammu, after laying foundation of Rs. 9.92 crore Model Village-Project with cluster area development approach.
“The Administration at the State, Divisional and District Headquarters cannot deliver as minutely and as specifically as could be done by the public representatives at Panchayat level”, he said maintaining that area specific development schemes could be successfully implemented by the panchayats. He said this would also help to plug loopholes and leakages in the process of spending funds on schemes.
Flagging the role of women as significantly important in the development of society, Omar emphasized large participation of women in Panchayat elections. He told them to contest elections and be involved in the all round development of their areas.
Omar Abdullah said that rural development especially fast track progress in far flung and backward areas is one of the most concerns of his government. “We have put in place many measures in this direction and the cluster approach for area development is the new initiate in the development of the model villages”, he added.
The Chief Minister expressed the hope that the project of Abtal Model Village with cluster approach to develop 24 villages would be completed within the prescribed time line.
Omar Abdullah sought people’s cooperation in fulfilling the development promises he has made to them during electioneering. “I am committed to catapult the development process in all the three regions of the State and bring about a healthy change in public delivery system”, he said and asked the people to come along with him in his march towards achieving economic well being and political stability in the State. “I do not ask you to follow me but I appeal you to come along with me”, he maintained.
Omar underlined the importance of good Indo-Pak relations for peace and development in the sub-continent.
“Jammu Kashmir always reaps benefits of friendly ties between the two neighbours”, he said adding that the calm borders and thaw in relations produce positive dividends for both the countries. Omar Abdullah expressed the hope that coming days will witness amity between India and Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar presented a resume of the development activities under implementation in the rural areas. He said scores of Model Villages have already been completed and many more are under completion. “We are involving general public in development process”, he said referring to the Gram Sabhas and Maha-Gram Sabhas organized by the Rural Development Department in the State to ensure participation of people in the development.
The Minister for Industries, S. S. Slathia who is also MLA of the area thanked the Chief Minister for showing deep interest in the development of rural areas. He said that Omar Abdullah has given new dimension to the development process where under equitable development of all areas has been made the bench mark of governance.
The legislator Bimla Luthra, Provincial President National Conference, Rattan Lal Gupta and senior political activists were present on the occasion.