KL Report
SRINAGAR
On the celebrations of Panchayat Day Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar Friday said that the people are the main source of power and the objective of celebrating Panchayat Day is to strengthen the Panchayat Raj institutions besides making them feasible and beneficial for all sections of the society.
As per a statement the Minister was addressing a function organized to observe Panchayat Day at SKICC Srinagar in which a number of Panchs and Sarpanchs drawn from all areas of the valley participated. He said that in a democratic setup leadership lies in the hands of people and every decision is taken as per the aspirations of the people.
The Minister has also distributed cheques worth Rs 17 lakh under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan among 170 beneficiaries of Khimber and Panchnad of district Srinagar.
While maintaining that the elections to Panchayats after 1978 was a historic decision, Sagar has said that the people feel involved fully in the government functioning through Panchayat Raj institutions. He said, “Panchayat members have been empowered to look into the smooth functioning of 14 departments and their contribution in implementation of developmental and welfare schemes are of great importance for the betterment of socio-economic condition of the people.”
The Minister also inaugurated Panchayat Ghar constructed by Rural Development Department, at Zarwan in Budgam district. He said, “Rs 20 lakh were spent on the construction of Panchayat Ghar comprising of 7 rooms, one conference hall, and office for Sarpanch and other required facilities. He said that Zarwan village of Budgam is being developed as Model Village and shall be facilitated with all possible amenities for the people of the village.”
Rejecting the elements bent upon weakening the Panchayati Raj Institutions, Sagar said, “The nefarious designs of such elements will never succeed and the tempo of Panchayati Raj Institutions will gather momentum day by day.” Stressing for judicious use of funds earmarked for rural development, Sagar has asked Panchayat members to redouble their efforts in making the Panchayati Raj Institutions fruitful and significant for the benefit of people.
To provide training to Panch members about their day to day activities, Minister has said that government has arranged proper training facilities for Panch members at every district, Tehsil and block level. And for the remuneration of Panch members, Sagar said that government is committed to support Panchs and Sarpanchs in respect of their emoluments and other facilities.
