Maintaining that Gram Panchayats are the most important element of the Panchayati Raj system, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Abdul Haq today said J&K would achieve real progress at the grassroots level only if the Gram Panchayats are strengthened and empowered.Speaking at day-long conference and award distribution function organized by Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj here, the Minister said it is a matter of pride for the State that three Gram Panchayats including Dara, Sarar and Mand brought laurels to J&K after being conferred “Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar” for the year 2014-15 by the Government of India. He said these Gram Panchayats were awarded for the exemplary work done in their respective Panchayats.The Minister distributed cheques amounting to Rs 8 lakh each to felicitate the members of these Panchayats namely Mohammad Amin Rather, Sudesh Chander and Mansa Ram for their tireless efforts in ensuring proper utilization of funds and effective implementation of various welfare schemes and programmes launched by the state and central government.
He said these Panchayat Representatives are the role model for the society and urged other members to act as brand ambassadors to carry forward the agenda of development of the present dispensation.The Minister said the members of these three Panchayats have proven their mettle in making best use of the resources. He announced that similar awards would be conferred to the outstanding Panchayats at the state level for the encouragement of members who are making extraordinary efforts for the overall development of the state.The Minister called upon the concerned officers to implement the schemes such as “My Village, My World”, MGNREGA, IAY etc. at grassroots level. Stressing for creation of durable assets in villages, Haq asked the Panchayat representatives to formulate plans keeping in view the overall developmental needs of the villages urging them to ensure tangible impact of the rural development schemes on the ground.The Minister said that to carry out any development related works in rural areas, the concerned executing agency should consult representatives of respective Panchayats. Among others, Secretary, RDD and PRI, Khurshid Ahmed Shah, Director RDD, Jammu M.L Raina, Director Panchayati Raj , R.K Bhat, concerned officers, sarpanches and panches were present on the occasion.