Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 2: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar, has reiterated the determination of Government in making Panchayats more empowered by further strengthening these basic institutions of democracy with increasing their role in planning and execution of development plans.
The Minister was addressing a large gathering of Panchs, Sarpanchs, Panchayati Adalat members, SHGs, besides senior officers and officials of various departments at a function held to commemorate 144th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, organised by Rural Development Department at Parade Ground, here today.
Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Raman Bhalla, Minister of State for Information and Rural Development Departments, Vikar Rasool, District Development Commissioner, Ajeet Kumar Sahu, Director Rural Development Department, Shafiq Ahmed Raina besides other senior officers from RDD, SWD, PHE and R&B were present on the occasion.
Sagar appreciated the role of PRIs during recent floods besides complimenting them for ensuring effective implementation of various schemes in their respective areas. He said that Omar Abdullah Government is taking several initiatives to further add to empowerment of Panchayats for creating a healthy and harmonious society to live in.
Sagar said Panchayat elections was a long cherished dream of late Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah which has been materialized by Omar led Government. He said Sarpanchs and Panchs including women were elected in a total free and fair manner. He said the credit goes to the present Government who took a bold decision of conducting these historic elections after a gap of over three decades.
The Minister impressed upon the Panchs and Sarpanchs to discharge their responsibilities honestly and effectively in accordance with the law and try to come upto the expectations of the people who have elected them with big hopes and aspirations.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that Government was keenly monitoring the development works through various agencies for effective results. He called for introducing tried and tested techniques adopted in other states for success of several pro-people programmes like Panchayat Raj system.
The Minister said that Government has taken various innovative measures to improve the living standards of the people, particularly those residing in rural centres. He said for this purpose UPA Government is providing liberal funding for developing every corner of the State with all basic amenities.
Bhalla called upon the people not to pay heed to the nefarious designs of those who mislead people by false slogans to meet their vested interests. He asked the people to extend their whole hearted cooperation to the Government for maintaining peace and prosperity in the State.
In his address, Minister of State for Rural Development and Information department, Vikar Rasool, said that Sarpanchs and Panchs have been given control over the development in their areas with respect to the schemes under 14 Government Departments.
The Minister exhorted upon the Panchs and Sarpanchs to work hard and contribute for the development of the society.
Responding to various demands of Panchayat representatives, the Ministers assured that all their issues would be looked into for necessary consideration.
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