Stressing on people participation in effective implementation of development programmes, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand said in order to strengthen grass root democracy and make Panchayats more vibrant the government has devaluated power to the PRIs. The plan formulation and implementation has been decentralized to the level of local panchayats with the aim to ensure that representatives of Panchayati Raj bodies get directly involved in the development process”, he added. He was chairing a one day long convention of Panchayati Raj Institutions at Chak Malal, Khour today. The government has identified fourteen departments for devolution of power and it has to be ensured that PRIs are actively involved in plan preparation as well as in supervision and execution of the activities of these departments,” he added. Detailed deliberations on various activities of PRIs and status of development works were held during the convention and on spot directions were issued for promptly addressing the issues raised by the respective panchayat members with regard to development in their respective areas.
The Dy CM directed the rural development authorities not to start works without taking gram Sabha into confidence and actively involve PRI functionaries in deciding the priority of development works initiated in respective panchayats.Besides Sarpanchs and Panchs of the area, the convention was attended by Sub-pisional Magistrate, Officers and Engineers of Rural Development Department and other line departments.The Deputy Chief Minister called upon sarpanchs and panchs to play major role in making people aware of various schemes and programs launched by the government from time to time and make sure that more and more people get themselves registered for availing benefits under prestigious schemes of SKEWPY, Labour schemes, kissan credit cards and other welfare schemes.“Mega registration camps have been organised in the area but response from people is not up to the expectation, now it is duty of each panchayat sarpanch and panch to motivate people and make sure that benefit reaches to maximum number of beneficiaries,” he enjoined.
Tara Chand said exemplary development initiatives have been taken for the purpose of upgrading rural infrastructure and focused attention is being paid to core areas of roads, energy, water supply, health and education. He said mega-projects have been launched all across the state to develop rural packets on modern lines and to take the development revolution to every nook and corner, adding that exemplary development initiatives taken by the government clearly show seriousness of the current dispensation towards all round development of the state.Detailing development projects launched in the area, the Deputy Chief Minister said Khour block is among top in the country with regard to connectivity by road links as every village has been interlinked with more than one road and three mega rural development projects have already started in the area. Special cluster model village projects at Pargwal, Pallanwala and Sainth have been undertaken for over all development of the villages falling under them, he added.“All those associated with these projects should gear up their activities so that the works get completed within stipulated time frame and strict vigil be maintained on the execution to ensure zero pilferage,” he added.