Under the directions of Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Baseer-Ul-Haq Choudhary, meetings of the Gram Sabha were held in all 190 Panchayat of the District Pulwama for approval of GPDP 2023-24.
The Deputy Commissioner Mr. Choudhary visited many Halqa Panchayats and supervised the Gram Sabha. The Deputy Commissioner visited Block Shadimarg, Halqa Panchayat Drabgam and presided over the special Gram Sabha Meeting there.
A large number of people, senior citizens, PRIs actively participated in the Gram Sabhas, during which agenda points along with other issues were discussed in detail and focus was laid on the developmental activities of respective Panchayati Halqa.
The DC impressed upon the local people present in the Gram Sabha Meeting to speak up for their village, discuss and finalize the Gram Panchayat Development Programme (GPDP).
He insisted upon the local people that by participating in the Gram Sabha Meeting, they are actually becoming a part of the development process of their areas. The Deputy Commissioner was accompanied by ADDC Pulwama Dr Sheikh Abdul Aziz and BDO Shadimarg, Officers/ officials from all line departments.
Speaking on the occasion, DC said that the Gram Panchayat Development Programme (GPDP) is an all-encompassing plan across all sectors for the development of Gram Panchayats in the District.
He said, It is imperative for development of a participatory plan that the representatives of the different line Departments come together in the Gram Sabha, which serves as the fulcrum of the Panchayat and a vital platform where people discuss issues of local governance.
The DC said that this integration helps to augment awareness about the Central and State schemes and in preparing a comprehensive, inclusive GPDP through participatory mechanisms.
The DC added that GPDPs are to be aligned with the 09 thematic areas for LSDGs, which are an integral part of the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals and are a key to ensuring that no one is left behind in the journey towards sustainable development.
The DC further said that these meetings of Gram Sabhas will provide an opportunity for locals to come together and participate in the decision-making process for their respective panchayats.
This will ensure that the approved GPDPs are reflective of the needs and aspirations of the community and will pave the way for the achievement of the Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs).
The prime aim of the Gram Sabhas is to ensure expeditious improvement in the socio-economic status of the people and achieving holistic development of the area. He said the essence of democracy is that people shall rule themselves and decide for themselves what is good or bad for them.
While addressing Gram Sabha, Deputy Commissioner said that the Government is committed to provide equitable developmental benefits in all urban and rural areas of the district. He said that the three Tier Panchayati Raj System has increased the expectations of the public and assured that all demands shall be fulfilled step by step.
The DC during the proceedings of Gram Sabha impressed upon the participants to formulate and finalise the plan as per the set guidelines.The DC added that Gram Sabha's in every Panchayat shall be held along with Panchayat Convergence Meeting with full involvement of all Panchayat Prabhari Officers to deliberate upon and approve the GPDP for its subsequent uploading on revamped eGramSwarajportal (https://egramswaraj.gov.in)
While supervising the Gram Sabha, the Deputy Commissioner stressed on the preparation of the GPDP plan in convergence mode. Reiterating the directions of the Government, the DC said that Village Prabhari Officers have an important role to play in the preparation of GPDP 2023-24 in convergence mode.
The DC added that a truly participatory process has been followed in the entire District during the Peoples’s Plan Campaign (PPC), 2022 and the Back to Village-IV in preparing the GPDP for the FY 2023-24.
Gram Sabha was also held in Panchayat Halqa Gangoo wherein the GPDP Plan formulation meeting was presided by Mr. Majid Khalil Ahamd Drabu. The Gram Sabha was also attended by ACR Pulwama, ACP Pulwama, ACD Pulwama, officers/ officials from all line departments, PRI members and hundreds of locals.
Speaking on the occasion ACP Pulwama Mr. Owais said that a huge transition is being observed regarding the participation of local population in the Gram Sabha meetings.
Participating in the Gram Sabha meetings, the Local people are actually participating in the development of the area. People are aware about the schemes and funds coming from various departments for the development of the Panchayats.
Huge participation of people in the Gram Sabha meetings makes the system more transparent and increases the accountability of the officers. ACP added that the people of the said Panchayati Halqa were enthusiastic for active participation in the Gram Sabha Meeting.
Gram Sabhas were also held in all the Panchayat Halqas of Awantipora and Tral wherein the respective Additional Deputy Commissioners supervised the meetings as per the directions of DC Pulwama. ADC Awantipora Mr. Zaffar Ahmad Shawl visited Panchayat halqa Chakoora and supervised the meeting.