Ombudsman for Panchayats

Sir,
Refer editorial ‘Ombudsman for Panchayats’ DE Mar 19,2019.
It is quite good that the Government has appointed an Ombudsman for proper functioning of Panchayati Raj institutions in the State. This will allow Panchayats function in a transparent manner as PRIs are prone to corruption and favouritism. In case PRIs indulged in corruption and mal-administration they will lose their credibility in the eyes of the villagers and it will be a great setback to Panchayati Raj movement in the State.
We need to respect the PRIs as it was only after a long time and Central Government’s stand that PRIs came into existence in the State once again after a gap of almost 15 years. These institutions are quite important to uplift the masses from ignorance, poverty and exploitation. Every effort is to be made to keep them robust units of empowerment at grassroot level and Ombudsman is a right step in this direction.
Sunil Sharma
Akhnoor