Nagrota /Jammu, January 28 (Scoop News) – The National Conference – Congress coalition government led by Omar Abdullah has given power to the voice of the people and set in motion an effective mechanism to empower the public and involve them in the process of planning and development, said Devender Singh Rana Political Advisor to the Chief Minister while addressing public meetings at Panchayat Marh, Bamyal, Jagti and Ragoora of Nagrota assembly constituency here today.
Rana said that conduct of free and fair panchayat elections after a long gap of more than thirty years shows the determination of the Omar Abdullah to empower people at grass root. He said despite criticism of fear and speculations by various elements the government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah bravely held the elections and decision of the government was supported by the people by voting in large numbers.
“More than 80% voters voted in the recently held panchayat elections which clearly vindicates the support of the public to the decision of the government”, he said.
Rana said that services of fourteen departments were transferred to the panchayats and the Chief Minister has recently granted Rs. 1.00 lac to each panchayat for undertaking smaller works in panchayat halqas.
He
said that three years of the National Conference – Congress coalition government witnessed innovative and far reaching measures and the decisions taken by the government have shown very positive results both on development and political fronts.
Referring to the enactment and implementation of Public Service Guarantee Act, Rana said that this initiative of the Omar led government is significantly important to give legal force to the rights of the people for receiving public service from the government departments. He said J&K is among the first few states of the country to have such an Act in place which guarantees public service to the people in a prescribed time frame and provides for punishment to the government functionaries for showing any laxity or falling in providing service in the prescribed time limit.
The Political Advisor asked the people to remain vigilant against those who want them to divide in the name of region, religion, caste and creed. He asked the people to remain united and extend fullest support to the Omar Abdullah led coalition government so that comprehensive and equitable developmental process started in the state could be successfully carried on across the state especially the far flung and remote areas.
Speaking at the places National Conference Provincial President, Rattan Lal Gupta asked the party rank and file and the National Conference delegates to strengthen the party at grass roots and play active role in development process.
Among others who were present on the occasion included Noor Mohd Sarpanch, Marh, Ram Singh, Sarpanch Bamyal, Bharat Singh Sarpanch Jagti, Allam Din, Sarpanch Ragoora, Mohd Sultan, Binny, Som Nath Khajuria, Bashir, Dr. Manzoor and other panches and sarpanches of the panchayats.