Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 19: Pradesh Congress Committee chief Prof Saif-ud-din Soz today said that Congress Party was committed for the empowerment of Panchayats and the process in this regard going on.
While paying tributes to former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi on her 85th birth anniversary at a function organized at party headquarters here today, Prof Soz said that Congress party was always committed for empowerment of Panchayats and the work in this regard was in process. He said the draft proposals on empowerment of Panchayats, by incorporating the provisions of 73rd Amendment is almost ready and would be discussed in the Coordination Committee shortly. He said the benefits of democracy can only perculate to the grass-root level only by strengthening and fully empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions.
The PCC chief said it was the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru which was translated into legislation by Late Rajiv Gandhi and finally 73rd Amendment was made in the Constitution of India. The basic units of Panchayats were given power to frame policy and planning for the development at the village level. He said the VDC polls were deferred for the short time only to empower Panchayats and in order to enable them to deliver as per expectations of the people. He said the work on draft proposals for empowerment of Panchayats was going on and it will be completed shortly. Prof Soz emphasized that Sarpanchs and Panchs should get due place and respect and honorarium besides other facilities to make Panchayats effective instruments of democracy.
Several senior party leaders including DyCM Tara Chand, Minister for Health Sham Lal, Minister for Revenue Raman Bhalla, MoS Shabir Ahmed Khan, MoS Aijaz Ahmed, legislators and other party functionaries paid tributes to Indira Gandhi and recalled her services for the country and Congress party. They described her as dynamic and bold leader who laid down her life for the unity and integrity of the country.
Another function was organized to commemorate the 95th birth anniversary of Late Indira Gandhi at Gangyal today. Minister for Revenue Raman Bhalla was the chief guest. While paying tributes to Indira Gandhi, Mr Bhalla recalled her contributions and described her a dynamic leader who was also known as iron lady. Mr Bhalla said Mrs Gandhi led the country to the great heights in various fields and India emerged as strong and powerful nation in the world.
Minister of State for Power and CAPD, Shabir Ahmed Khan paid tributes to Late Indira Gandhi in a separate function held at Govt Women College, Gandhi Nagar here today. Mr Khan while describing Indira Gandhi as a bold and visionary leader, said that she brought revolutionary changes in the country which earned respect in the world community for the country. The function was organized by Gandhi Global Family in association with the College management. Principal of the College, Kiran Bakshi and SP Verma from GGF also spoke on the occasion.
Pradesh Congress Seva Dal organized a yet another function in connection with the birth anniversary of Mrs Gandhi. The function was organized under the leadership of Balwinder Singh Sambyal, State chief organizer of Seva Dal. Mr Sambyal and other members including S S Jamwal, Pankaj Chibber, Vinay Gupta, J K Koul, Dr M L Rao, Rehmat Ullah, Harinder Singh, Rajesh Sadhotra, Rajni Sharma paid rich tributes to Indira Gandhi.
DCC Udhampur also organized a functioin in this connection under the leadership of senior leader Ashok Bakshi. Several senior members advocate Surinder Kumar, Om Parkash, Rasal Singh, Vijay Padha, Ram Murthi, Jasvir Kour, Mohd Yousuf, Darshna Devi and others paid tributes to Late Indira Gandhi.
BCC Chenani organized a grand function in this connection which was presided over by local MLA Krishan Chander Bhagat. The MLA garlanded the portrait of Smt Indira Gandhi and many other Block functionaries of the party paid floral tributes to Mrs Gandhi. Mr Bhagat, Yashwant Singh- Block president and several other senior leaders addressed the gathering.
BCC Akhnoor also organized a function in this connection under the leadership of Baldev Raj Sharma. Several BCC functionaries and citizens of the town paid their rich tributes to Mrs Gandhi. All Jammu and Kashmir Pensioners & Senior Citizens Council also organized a separate function in this connection.
Meanwhile, NPP organized a seminar in connection with the birth anniversary of Late Indira Gandhi at the Union capital. Chief patron of the party and member NIC, Prof Bhim Singh while paying tributes to Late Indira Gandhi delivered an extensive lecture on occasion. He described Indira Gandhi as strongest leader in Asian continent who had demonstrated courage combined with wisdom. She is also remembered for her revolutionary economic policies, creation of Bangladesh and 20-point programme for youth and her contributions in various fields.
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