Sagar inspects functioning of panchayats

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 20: To assess implementation of empowerment of the Panchayati Raj representatives at the ground level, Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohd Sagar today took stock of functioning of various panchayats of Jammu district.
The Minister was accompanied by Director Rural development Jammu, Shafiq Raina, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, ADDC Jammu, Rehana Batool, Assistant Commissioner Development Jammu, K. Siddha, Executive Engineer RDD, Parvaiz Malik and other senior officers of various departments like PHE, PDD, Irrigation, PWD.
While interacting with panchayat representatives at Bhour camp and Makwal, the Minister directed the officers to ensure that the orders of empowering the Panchayat representatives are implemented in letter and spirit and action initiated against any officer showing any deviation from the same.
“Empowerment of Sarpanchs and Panchs will surely add to progress and prosperity of the state besides ensuring effective implementation of development programmes”, he added. He said that the present Government has ensured effective decentralization of powers to the ground level.
“We do not believe in rhetoric and selling false ideas and misleading the people but in sustained action coupled with effective implementation of development programmes. It is after decades that this revolutionary measure has been initiated whereby the people at grass root level have been involved in policy formulation and implementation”, Minister maintained
Mr Sagar directed the officers to involve Panches and Sarpanchs in implementation of various schemes and work in close coordination with them so that proper and area specific development is ensured.
The Minister also inspected the status of works undertaken under different schmes like MGNREGA,TSC etc and directed the officers to ensure the funds earmarked under these are utilized to the maximum and benefit percolates to the targeted populace.
The Minister, earlier, inspected the pace of work on the Panchayat Bhawan being constructed with an estimated cost of Rs. 1.48 cr with facilities like conference rooms, meeting halls as well as committee rooms.