Terming Panchayati Raj representatives as vital part of day to day governance, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar on Thursday said that government has ensured their full empowerment and they should come forward and exhibit their participatory role in developing their respective areas by working in co-ordination with officers of different department in formulation as well as implementation of various flagship programmes and schemes.The Minister was addressing One day Maha Gram Sabha cum awareness camp wherein, he also took review of the status of devolution of powers of 14 vital departments to the Panchayati Raj institutions organised by the Department of Rural Development at Kathua here today.
The Minister of State for Co-operatives, Dr. ManoharLal Sharma, Member Parliament, ChoudharyLal Singh, Legislators, Mr. Charanjeet Singh, DurgaDass, JagdishSapolia, Subash Gupta, Sham LalBhagat, Director Rural Development, Jammu, Mr. Shafiq Ahmad Raina, Deputy Commissioner Kathua, Mr.Jatinder Singh, Panches, Sarpanches of the district and officers of 14 departments were present on the occasion.
Mr. Sagar while referring to the empowerment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions said that the orders of empowering these basic institutions of governance are clear. He said that a senior officer of the Rank of Additional District Development Commissioner has been nominated as the nodal officer for ensuring that the order of empowerment is strictly implemented.
The Minister said that the Government has fulfilled its promise of ensuring a vibrant Panchayati Raj System in the State by ensuring proper devolution of powers to the grass root level and now the onus lies on the Panchayati Raj representatives to ensure the sustained development of their respective areas. He said that Panches and Sarpanches should work in synergy with the officers of various departments in formulating and implementation of various development programmes.Referring to the various initiatives undertaken by the Government for ensuring clean and transparent governance, the Minister said several land mark Acts have been enacted by the Government for ensuring transparency by which the requisite information can be got and essential services provided to the people within shortest possible time. He said certain political parties in a state of frustration are trying to negate the achievements registered by the Government but the people are aware of their mechanisations and would give them a fitting reply in near future.Minister of State Cooperatives, Dr.ManoharLal Sharma while speaking on the occasion highlighted the initiatives undertaking by the Government for empowerment of the Panches, Sarpanches and said that they should come forward and ensurethe sustained development of their respective areas.Member Parliament, Ch. Lal Singh called upon the Panchayati Raj Representatives to cooperate with the Government in carrying forward the developmental initiatives undertaken for holistic development of the State.Earlier, the Minister inaugurated a Panchayat Ghar at Nagrota in Block Barnoti,Kathua District constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.1.20 cr.