Srinagar, May 31 (Scoop News) – Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday reassured Panches and Sarpanches that Government would transfer maximum possible powers to them to establish an effective and delivering Panchayat Raj in the State.
“A Committee of high ranking officers headed by the Chief Secretary is working out a transfer of functions, funds and functionaries (3Fs) to Panchayats”, he said adding that the report of the Committee is in the last stage of formulation.
Interacting with Panches and Sarpanches at Beerwah and Budgam after inaugurating 4-day training course for them, the Chief Minister said that holding of Panchayat election in the State after 33 years was an historic decision of far reaching consequences on the development and social fronts.
“The establishment of democratic institutions at lower level would at one hand strengthen the democracy in the State and on the other help to empower people to take decisions about the development aspects by themselves and be important part in policy planning”, he added.
The Chief Minister said that Panchayats would prove an effective tool to keep eye on the works and reduce chances of corruption. He said the monitoring of works would get cutting edge initiative by the Panchayat Raj and the war against corruption considerable impetus.
“By holding Panchayat election in the State, I aim at shifting powers from the central level to public representatives at grass roots so that they could themselves decide about the launch of area specific development works in their areas according to public requirement and preference. This cannot be achieved at the secretariat level”, he added.
Omar Abdullah asked the Panches and Sarpanches to make sincerity, honesty and response to public needs benchmark of their functioning. “You have all the more responsibilities towards the society and the voters who have elected you by taking part in large numbers in the elections”, he said adding that every voter will keenly watch the conduct and service of Panches and Sarpanches in his area. “In your best and honest service delivery lies the success of Panchayat Raj”, he told the Panches and Sarpanches.
The Chief Minister said that by initiating the programme of direct contact with newly elected Panches and Sarpanches at constituency level, he wanted to listen to their view points and suggestions for strengthening Panchayat Raj in the State. “I am the torch bearer of the programmes and strategies envisioned by Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for the empowerment, honour and dignity of the people of the State. My every step would be to achieve prosperous and peaceful
The Chief Minister said that the functional orbit for Panchayats will not be restricted to rural development alone. “These institutions have to look into the functioning of schools, health centres, CAPD stores, establishment of anganwari centres, distribution of pension and relief to the beneficiaries and many more matters of important public concern”, he elaborated and asked the Panches and Sarpanches to be fully prepared to shoulder these responsibilities and prove their mettle on the delivery front.
Omar called for a coordinated approach by Panchayats and the Administration in addressing public grievances and carrying forward development agenda jointly to realize the equitable and holistic progress in the State. “You have to complement to each other in launch, implementation and completion of the works according to the aspirations of the people”, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, Minister of State for Haj and Auquaf, Ajaz Ahmad Khan highlighted the importance of holding of Panchayat elections in the State to give new impetus to the development process.
They appreciated the Chief Minister for the historic decision of holding Panchayat elections in the State after over 30 years and paving the way for empowerment of people at grass roots.
The Ministers asked the Panches and Sarpanches to be rest assured about transfer of powers by the Government to Panchayats. “The Government led by Omar Abdullah is committed to empower you and necessary process has already been kick-started by the Chief Minister in this regard”, they told the Panchayat members.
The Ministers also asked the Panches and Sarpanches to render their service to the people to the best of their capacity making honesty and justice the hallmark of their working.
Earlier, more than two dozen Panches and Sarpanches in their speeches at Beerwah and Budgam narrated their experience saying that the decision of the Government to hold Panchayat elections in the State was a revolutionary one and Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah deserved highest appreciation for the same.
They also talked about the transfer of powers to the Panchayats and identified areas in development process requiring priority attention of the Government.
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