Saying that Panchayat Institutions have key role in the development process of the State, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Mr. Abdul Haq Friday said measures are being taken for making Panchayat Institutions more efficient and powerful to ensure maximum benefit to the rural population. The Minister said this while addressing a meeting of members of Panchayat Institutions of Baramulla district convened to review the progress and functioning of the Panchayat bodies in the district.The Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Peerzada Mushtaq Ahmad, Director Rural Development Department, Kashmir, Mr. Tasaduq Jeelani and other officers were present in the meeting.
Mr. Haq stressed upon the officers and Panchayat members to ensure cent percent utilization of funds for current fiscal and make sure all works have visible impact on ground besides quality, transparency and judicious utilization of funds is ensured. He asked them to put in efforts with more zeal and dedication for strengthen of Panchayat Raj system to ensure democratic decentralization of the powers at grass root level.The Minister said PRIs in the State will be strengthened by equipping them with computer and Internet facilities so that all information is available online to ensure transparency and accountability besides increasing efficiency of the PRIs. He said that funds have been made available for implementing various schemes in Rural Development Department and timeline has been set up for the completion of all developmental projects.
Mr. Haq said that Panchayats are being provided Rs 900 crore so that new era of development is started all over the State and maximum rural population is covered and benefited with rural development schemes. He also stressed for close coordination between Panchayat bodies and Rural Development Department.The Minister reiterated that government has started massive drive for making State corruption free and Rural Development Department will be among the corruption free departments soon.Earlier, the Minister was given detailed brief of last five years of the Rural Development Department
While responding to the issues and demands of the Panchyat members, the Minister gave assurance to them that all their issues and genuine demands would be mitigated soon on priority and Panchayat Ghars are being constructed in each Panchayat of the State.