Sagar warns PRs against misleading campaigners

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 26: Asserting that Government was keen to establish a vibrant Panchayati Raj System in the state, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar today asked Panchayat Representatives (PRS) not to pay any heed to the misleading campaign unleashed by some elements and concentrate on the development of their respective areas.
The Minister was speaking at an interaction of Panches and Sarpanches of Bhalwal block. Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Sanjeev Verma, Director Rural Development, Jammu, Shafiq Raina and other senior officers of department, Panches and Sarpanches of the area were present.
Hitting at what he called misleading campaigners, Sagar said that the people should look into the designs of such elements who do not want these grass root level institutions to flourish in the state. They have always resorted to divisive tactics to further their nefarious designs and political agenda, he maintained, adding the Panchayti Raj Act promulgated by the Government is a comprehensive one proving for full empowerment of Panchayti Raj Representatives.
He also reiterated the Government’s committed to hold elections for Block Councils and said that the same would become a reality putting the swirling tongues to the rest. “We have ensured that the power is transmitted to the grass root level instead of resorting to rhetoric and spreading false propaganda besides dividing people on basis on region and other related factors,” he added.
He said the public was the best judge as it was highly appreciative of the steps taken by the Government to empower the Panchayats. He said the Government has already brought 14 departments under the supervisory control of Panchayats, which is a revolutionary step towards making these institutions effective and development oriented. He said the Government has already earmarked Rs 41 crore for distributing Rs 1 lakh among each Panchayat Halqa for taking up small development works of urgent public need. He said that Government has also sanctioned Rs 20 lakh each for the construction of Panchayat Ghars in all Halqas lacking this facility and also adequate funds have already been provided for renovation of the existing ones.