Srinagar, October 28 (Scoop News) –Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today highlighted the importance of devolution of power to the public representatives at Panchayat level stressing on holding of elections to Panchayats in the State as early as possible.sn
“Empowering people at grass roots and involving their positive participation in formulation of plans and execution of schemes is imperative to bring about a healthy change in governance and addressing specific public needs through Panchayat Raj system”, he said.sn
The Chief Minister was chairing a high level meeting to review the preparedness for holding Panchayat elections in the State.
The meeting was attended by the Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Minister of State for Rural Development, Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Chief Secretary, S.S. Kapur, Director General Police, Kuldeep Khoda, Additional Director General of Police, K. Rajendera, Principal Secretary Home and Chief Electoral Officer, B.R. Sharma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, B.B. Vyas, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu divisions, Asgar Samoon and Pawan Kotwal, Directors of Rural Development of Kashmir and Jammu divisions and other senior officers.
The Chief Minister said that the utilization of funds available under various centrally sponsored schemes for Panchayats was only possible when Panchayats would be in place. “State has already lost substantial central funds in the past for not having Panchayats elected. In order to utilize the amounts earmarked under 13th Finance Commission for Panchayats and under other flagship programmes, we have to conduct Panchayat elections and take advantage of the funds”, he added.
The Chief Minister said that he will hold the All Parties Conference and discuss issues relating to the holding of Panchayat elections and also discuss it in the NC-Congress Coordination Committee so that the elections are held early.
The Chief Minister directed for moving ahead on the process of preparedness of Panchayat elections and finalizing the programme for the approval of the Cabinet.
The Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar gave details of the preparedness of Panchayat elections and underlined the importance of transferring power to the representatives of people at Panchayat level. He said in order to ensure proper utilization of funds in a judicious manner and as per the requirements of the people holding of Panchayats was important.
The Principal Secretary Home and Chief Electoral Officer briefed the meeting about the preparedness of Electoral Office about holding the Panchayat elections in the State.
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