KL Report
SRINAGAR
Announcing Rs. 70 crores financial grants to Panchayat Institutions for undertaking various development works in their Halqas, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Monday said that Panchayats are the best tool to curb corruption and ensure transparency.
“We have reconstituted Accountability Commission and constituted Vigilance Commission to tackle corruption but the best tool in this regard are Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs)”, he said and added that many speculations and much anti-Panchayat Poll propaganda was let loose by the main opposition to derail the process of establishing powerful Panchayat System in the State.
The Chief Minister said that same people (PDP leadership) piloted and passed a Bill in the Legislature aimed at dissolving the then Panchayats in the State prematurely. “But we met the Governor of that time Gen S. K. Sinha and made him to send the Bill back without giving his assent as it was totally undemocratic and authoritarian”, he said and added that if the same people, very much eager at present for chair, come to power they will surely indulge in similar kind of activity.
The Chief Minister taking a dig on main opposition for crying hoarse on the issue of corruption but gathering all corruption charge-sheeted lot in its basket said that actions of every individual and party reveal its agenda and real face. “At one hand they (PDP leadership) are giving sermons on corruption and on the other hand bringing all elements with corruption charges into their fold”, he said adding that this unveils their falseness.
Addressing a large public meeting after inaugurating 200 Panchayat Ghars on-line at Kijpora near here, the Chief Minister said that the detractors of his government are out to defame his government and diminish the huge achievements registered during the last five and a half years by circulating false propaganda and machination.
“The thousands macro, medium and micro schemes founded and completed by the present government within the last five and a half years, itself speak loud and clear for the work done and performance of the government”, he said and added that the historic decision of holding of Panchayat Elections, giving them powers and authority to implement works and monitor service delivery of important public services has laid a strong edifice of democratizing and decentralizing powers.
The Chief Minister said, he would be fully satisfied to see all the tiers of Panchayat System working at Halqa, Block and District levels. “We tried our best to constitute Block Panchayats, election notification for the purpose was issued along with date sheet, but unfortunately hurdles were created and the process got thwarted”, he said and expressed the hope that this will be a reality in near future as the blue print and all preliminary requirements have been finalized by his government in this regard.
Omar Abdullah advised the Panchayat Members to exercise the powers of ensuring service deliveries of public services besides monitoring the functioning of Schools, Aganwari Centres, Ration Depots, etc. “You should devote equal attention towards this aspect besides financial spending on development works in your Halqa Panchayat”, he told Panches and Sarpanches present on the occasion.
The Chief Minister also asked them to spend the Rs. 70 crores announced by him as soon as possible judiciously and transparently. “Prefer its utilization well in time and we will release another instalment”, he maintained.
Omar Abdullah referred to the improvement in the law and order and peace situation in last five and a half years and said that more than 10 lakh visitors have visited the Valley this year so far against 7 lakhs during the last year in the same period. He said this all has been possible due to the endeavours of the government.
The Chief Minister said that much headway has been achieved in the process of economic reconstruction and holistic development of Jammu and Kashmir and more is needed in this direction. He said prosperous and modern Jammu and Kashmir is his mission and he will continue to work to achieve this goal.
Speaking on the occasion Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohammad Sagar said that another 200 Panchayat Ghars will be inaugurated soon in Jammu Division. He said more than Rs. 1000 crore have been spent under MGNREGA during the last year in the State through Panchayats and the target for the current year is Rs. 1100 crores.
Sagar said that funds are being directly transferred to the Panchayats for implementing various works. He said that prompt action has been taken on genuine complaints and the Panchayat Members involved were reprimanded for erring.
