No proposal to enhance remuneration of Panchayat members: Govt

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 5: The Government today said there is no proposal to enhance the remuneration of members of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) while it also refuted the accusation of disempowering the Panchayats in the State.
In written reply to the questions of MLCs Ghulam Nabi Monga and Ali Mohammad Dar, the Government said that there is no proposal as on this date for enhancement of remunerations to the PRIs.
Replying to one of the questions, the government said that it has not deprived PRIs of their empowerments granted to them vide Government order no 1126-GAD of 2011 dated 22.09.2011 issued by the General Administration Department.
The Government also rejected the allegation of sidelining PRIs and said: “… The Minister has held meetings/interactions with PRIs at various places nine times in last seven months.”
“Minister for Rural Development and PR has visited almost all the districts of the State and reviewed working of the PRIs. During the interaction with PRIs, the Minister also took stock of developmental initiatives and activities undertaken in various departments…,” the Government stated in the reply.