Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Dec 23: Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh today reiterated the Government’s resolve to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions as part of the larger vision of decentralization of powers.
He said strengthening of PRIs will ensure that people at the grassroots level are included in day-to-day governance and formulation of developmental policies.
The DyCM was addressing a public grievances redressal camp at Siot in Rajouri after laying the foundation stone of 1x50MVA 132/33KV Grid Station. The grid station was the long-pending demand of the people of the area.
“We believe in decentralization of power as a means to empower people at grassroots level”, the DyCM said, adding to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions as part of our vision to empower local governance bodies, we amended the Panchayat Raj Act. “With the implementation of this Act there will be flow of power to the lower strata of the society. People should elect the well qualified and honest persons so as to translate the Government vision of decentralization of powers in real spirit,” he said.
He said the country and the State can develop only when there is devolution of powers to the grassroots level. “Empowering the Panchayati Raj Institutions will give a boost to the developmental process and will bring transparency and accountability in the system,” he added.
Besides, the state sector, share of the funds received under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna will further strengthen the road network of the state. “The Government is committed to connect every nook and corner of the state with better road connectivity”, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Jammu region is emerging as a major education hub with the setting up of IIT, IIMC and IIM. He said that the students of the area as well as the adjoining states would be getting quality educational facilities in the region.
“Major thrust has also been on the upgradation and augmentation of tourism related infrastructure so that the region comes up on the tourist map of the country,” he maintained
During the camp, Deputy Chief Minister gave patient hearing to the problems of the people and passed necessary instructions to the concerned officers for solution of their issues within shortest possible time. He directed all the concerned officers to make frequent visits and organize awareness camps in the far flung areas. He said that downtrodden people should be benefitted with various social welfare schemes.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister visited village Laroka in Nowshera where he inaugurated 6.3MVA, 33/11KV receiving station. Constructed at a cost of Rs 2.85 crore the receiving station will improve the quality and reliability of the power supply in adjoining villages which include Lam, Laroka, Kampala, Mohra, Pukherni etc and nearly 20000 population will be benefitted.
MLA Nowshera Ravinder Raina, MLC, Surinder Choudhary, Chief Engineer PDD Ashwani Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Rajouri, Shabir Ahmed Bhatt, SSP Suleiman Choudhary beside all other district and sectoral officers accompanied the DyCM.
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