Maha Panchayat Samelan held today at Dak Banglow Rajouri under the chairmanship of Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohmmad Sagar, Minister of State for Rural Development Vikar Rasool, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Shabir Ahmed Khan, MLA Kakakote Rach Paul Singh, MLC Sham Lal Baghat. Besides Sarpanches/Panches, Chairman Adalati Committee and members of Adalati Committee of the district also participated in the Samelan.District Development Commissioner Rajouri F.C Bhagat while extending the welcome to the chief guest and other dignitaries threw light on the achievements under various scheme being implemented by the Rural Development Department highlighting the progress under MGNREGA.
District Development Commissioner told that during the year 2013-14 the Total Budgetary allocation has been earmarked as Rs. 7941.25 lakhs and by ending October 25, an amount of Rs. 2416.03 has been released out of which an amount of Rs. 1923.59 Lacs stands utilized on the approved works of 2946.Further elaborating the DDC Rajouri also highlighted the achievements made under IAY, BADP, Model Villages and construction of Panchayat Ghars under 13th FC award.Sagar while addressing the mammoth gathering reiterated that it was the dream of Chief Minister to conduct the free and fair elections of the panchayats and to strengthen the base of grass root level democracy by making the PRI more vibrant and accordingly the devolution of power was ordered. He further told that today the decision for development have been decentilised and panchayats are now independent in framing their plan and implementing the same as per the wishes of the common man. The Minister apprised that government has already announced the sanctioning of Model Villages in every block and has released Rs: 75000 to every Halqa Panchayat under 13th FC, Rs:- 50000 for renovation for existing panchayatghar.
Further regarding the devolution, the Minister took a strong expectation of the non participations of few line departments in periodic meetings at panchayat level and gave on spot directions to DDC Rajouri for ensuring the participation of these departments without any fail. He instructed the Director Rural Development Jammu Shafiq Ahmed Raina and Assistant Commissioner Development Rajouri for filling up of the vacancies of supporting staff in the district within one month.While concluding his address the Minister told that the Government will take all such steps which are necessary and expedient for strengthen the PRIs.Vikar emphasized that the government has empowered the PRIs adequately and the elected representatives must exercise that as per the guidelines issued by the government. He praised the district administration for smooth conduct of meetings of 14 line department periodically and further stressed upon the officers to work upto the full expectations of the people in streamlining the grass root level democracy.
While addressing the gathering, Shabir thanked all the elected representatives of the district for participating in large numbers inspite of ongoing harvesting season. Minister demanded that adequate supporting staff under the MGNREGA may be engaged at an earliest for the proper functioning of the PRIs, besides he also demanded that due share to the district be given while implementing the decision of creation of new administrative units.Thakur Rachapal Singh MLA Kalakote and Sham Lal Baghat MLC Panchayat, also highlighted the problems of elected representatives. Speaking on the occasion Sarpanches appreciated the role of Rural Development Department and district administration for sensitizing and empowering the panchayat and thanked the Minister for releasing honorarium in favour of elected representatives of PRIs.