Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 2: Coming down heavily on the elements trying to create misgivings about the Panchayati Raj System (PRS) in the State, the Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that the Government has empowered the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and the forces trying to mislead the people are the enemies of peace and progress.
The Minister was addressing a huge gathering during one day convention organized by the Department of Rural Development here today. Director Rural Development Kashmir, Mir Altaf Ahmed, Superintendent Engineer, REW, ACDs and senior officers of the department besides panchs and sarpanchs were also present on the occasion.
Mr. Sagar said that Government by putting in place the PRIs and ensuring their empowerment with the powers of 14 vital departments has already incorporated the spirit of 73rd Amendment into it but unfortunately certain forces are trying to create misgivings in the minds of people about the same. He said that the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah ensured that the orders of decentralization of democracy and the percolation of powers to the grass root level is done and the same has already been conveyed down the line.
The Minister said that in order to monitor the implementation of the orders of empowerment the Coalition Government has directed Divisional Commissioners as well as District Development Commissioners to monitor the empowerment of the PRIs and appointed the Additional District Development Commissioners as the nodal officers for monitoring the same and strict action would be initiated against the officers/officials who do not adhere to the same. He said that the role of Panchs and Sarpanchs is of vital importance as they have to ensure the sustained development of their areas in coordination with officers of different departments.
Referring to the Government’s endeavours of putting in place a vibrant PRS, the Minister said that the Government has already released Rs 57 crore to different Panchayats for the creation of infrastructural assets. With regard to the renumeration of panchs and sarpanchs, the proposal is under the active consideration of the Government and the issue of security to them has already been taken up with the concerned authorities, the Minister added.
The Minister further appealed the panchs and sarpanchs to defeat the nefarious designs of those elements who want to derail the process of strengthening the PRS in the state.
The Minister also released Trilingual Publications regarding Devolution of Functions to the PRIs published by the Dehat Sudhar Wing of the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department.
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