Panchayats Ombudsman bill introduces in Assembly

 

JAMMU: A bill for establishment of Panchayats Ombudsman for probing corruption or mal-administration was introduced in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today.

The bill (LA Bill No 8 of 2014) for the establishment of Ombudsman for Panchayats for investigating charges of corruption or mal-administration in Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state was introduced by the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Ali Mohammad Sagar.

The Bill aims to enforce transparency and accountability in the functioning of the elected representatives of the Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir.

Another Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1978 (LA Bill No 6 of 2014) was introduced by the Minister for Cooperatives, Manohar Lal Sharma on behalf of Minister for Forests, Mian Altaf Ahmed.

The Bill provides extraction of medicinal plants from the forests and wildlife sanctuaries by various stakeholders for the commercial purposes, which are prohibited at present. (agencies)