Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 7: Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar, accompanied by Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla and Minister of State for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Haj and Auqaf Ajaz Ahmed Khan on Friday inaugurated Panchayat Bhawan at Rail Head, Jammu.
The complex has been constructed with a cost of Rs 1.48 crore with a conference hall, lobby, reception, dining, office, toilet blocks and kitchen besides housing facilities for Sarpanchs and Panchs.
MLAs Sukhnandan Choudhary, Bharat Bhushan, Director Rural Development Department (RDD) Shafiq Ahmed Raina, Deputy Director RDD Indu Chib besides other senior officers of RDD, Sarpanchs and Panchs were present on the occasion.
Addressing a large gathering, Sagar said Sarpanchs and Panchs play a key role in development of their respective areas and the Omar-led Government is making all out efforts to empower them completely.
The Minister said that after holding successful Panchayat elections in the State, efforts are being made to delegate adequate powers to Panchayats in order to achieve the objective of participatory planning process. He said that objective of establishing Panchayati Raj in the state and empowering such institutions is to extend development process to the rural pockets.
Stressing on proper coordination among Panchayati Raj representatives and concerned departments, the Minister said that the Government has already empowered the Sarpanchs and Panchs with the powers of 14 vital departments.
Sagar said that the Coalition Government has fulfilled the promise of democratic decentralization of powers which has frustrated certain vested interests who had earlier launched a campaign against the holding of Panchayati elections. He said that the people of the State are wise enough to gauge the sincerity and the work done by the present dispensation.
The Minister said Government has released Rs 207 crore for construction of more Panchayat Bhawans in every nook of the state. He impressed upon the concerned agencies to redouble their efforts for timely completion of the all ongoing ambitious projects within a stipulated timeframe.
Regarding construction of toilets under Rural Sanitation scheme, Sagar said Government has sanctioned a grant of Rs. 9500 for construction of toilet complexes in rural pockets.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that Government is keenly monitoring the development works through various agencies for effective results. He called for introducing tested techniques adopted in other states for success of several pro-people programmes like Panchayat Raj system.
The Minister said that Government has taken various innovative measures to improve the living standards of the people, particularly those residing in rural centres. He said for this purpose UPA Government is providing liberal funding for developing every corner of the state with all basic amenities like safe drinking water, road connectivity, healthcare, education, electricity, sewerage besides better lanes and drains. He said many more projects are in pipeline to provide succour to the ruralities through developmental schemes.
The Minister said people’s cooperation is imperative to make the State progressive and prosperous. He called upon the people not to pay heed to the nefarious designs of those who mislead people by false slogans to meet their vested interests. He asked the people to extend their whole hearted cooperation to the Government for maintaining peace and prosperity in the State.
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