Srinagar/Pulwama,June 12 (Scoop News) – While appealing the all parties to come forward and accept the Prime Minister’s offer of talks for settlement of all issues concerned in the State amicably, the Minister for Rural Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs , Ali Mohammad Sagar said that National Confrence has always believed in solving issues through talks and have always rendered innumerable; sacrifices for the welfare of people. “It is high time that the bloodshed and killing of innocents should stop and we should all synergize our efforts for ushering an era of peace, tranquility, brotherhood and prosperity in the State”, he maintained.
The Minister was addressing one-day district level Gram Sabha organized by the Department of Rural Development at Pulwama which was attended by thousands of representatives of various villages of Pulwama district.
Reiterating the Government’s commitment to hold Panchayati elections for within shortest possible time for effective decentralization of powers to the grass root level, has said that the necessary steps have already been initiated and it is a matter of time that the same would be held.
Sagar said that by holding elections we would be setting a three tier Panchayati system in place, which would also be helpful in getting additional funds from the Central Government for the development of rural areas, which was not possible without putting Panchayats into place. “We also appealed the women folk to also effectively participate as 33% reservation has also being extended to them, it will also go a long way in emancipation women folk and also result in need based and holistic development of rural areas”, he added.
Referring to the progress made in the implementation of MGNREGA, the Minister said that the progress made in this scheme has even being acknowledged by the Prime Minister during his recent visit. He said that an amount of Rs. 180 crore has been utilized during the last year and in acknowledgment of the progress registered, the Centre has allocated an amount of Rs. 560 crore for the current year. “I appealed to the people to come forward and get maximum benefits from this flagship scheme which has been instrumental in changing the socio-economic condition and rural landscape throughout the country. The officials should provide the work to the job card holders within 15 days and also make the payments on due dates, any laxity in this regard will not be tolerated”, he added.
Member Parliament, G. N. Ratanpuri, District Development Commissioner, Pulwama, M. A. Bhat, Director Rural Development, Kashmir, Jehangir Mir and senior officers of the district administration and department were also present.
The Parliament Member, Rajya Sabha, G. N. Ratanpuri also spoke on the occasion and asked the people to come forward with the problems being faced by them and said that the Government is committed to work for the socio-economic upliftment of the people living in far-off and rural areas and in this regard several welfare programme have been launched.