Excelsior Correspondent
![Minister for Rural Development Ali Mohammad Sagar addressing public gathering at Nishat Gund on Saturday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/page54-150x133.jpg)
SRINAGAR, Nov 3: Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that by putting in place a vibrant Panchayati Raj System, the Government has fulfilled its promise of ensuring the strengthening of democratic institutions so that the power percolates to the grass root level.
The Minister was addressing a huge public gathering at Nishat Gund, Handwara. Minister of State for Rural Development, Javaid Ahmad Dar, Member Parliament, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq, Director Rural Development, Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara, Additional DDC Kupwara and other senior officers of the district administration were also present.
Mr. Sagar said that the Government has ensured empowerment of the Panchayati Raj Institutions and implemented fully by nominating Additional District Develo-pment Commissioner as Nodal Officer for ensuring the same and the officers as well as officials have been asked to adhere strictly to this initative. He also called upon the Panchs and Sarpanchs to judiciously make use of powers and work in tandem with the officers of different departments for ensuring sustained development of their respective areas.
The Minister while dispelling the doubts being created by certain vested interests regarding the empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), said that the Government is committed to put in place a three tier system of Panchayati Raj to ensure democratic decentralization of power. He said certain parties have got frustrated by the initiatives as well as the developmental programmes undertaken by the present Government and in a State of frustration are trying to mislead people.
The Minister of State for R&B, Javaid Ahmad Dar said that certain parties are trying to mislead the people for their petty political interests and people of the State are well aware of their ulterior motives. He said that the present Government led by Omar Abdullah believes in sustained action rather than rhetoric and maintained that overall development of the State has been ensured by initiating several landmark developmental programmes and schemes.
Member Parliament, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the role of the Government in ensuring the sustained development of all the regions of the State.