Pulwama, June 12: Reiterating the Government’s commitment to hold Panchayat elections within shortest possible time, the Minister for Rural Development, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Saturday said that the necessary steps have already been initiated and it is a matter of time that the same would be held.
 He was addressing a one-day district level Gram Sabha organized by the Department of Rural Development at Pulwama.
 Sagar said that by holding elections “we would be setting a three tier Panchayati system in place, which would also be helpful in getting additional funds from the Central Government for the development of rural areas, which was not possible without putting Panchayats into place.”
 “We also appealed the women folk to also effectively participate as 33% reservation has also being extended to them, it will also go a long way in emancipation women folk and also result in need based and holistic development of rural areas”, he said.
 While appealing the all parties to come forward and accept the Prime Minister’s offer of talks for settlement of all issues concerned in the State amicably, Sagar said, “NC always believed in solving issues through talks and have always rendered innumerable; sacrifices for the welfare of people. It is high time that the bloodshed and killing of innocents should stop and we should all synergize our efforts for ushering an era of peace, tranquillity, brotherhood and prosperity in the State.”
 Member Parliament, G N Ratanpuri, District Development Commissioner, M A Bhat, Director Rural Development, Jehangir Mir and senior officers of the district administration and department were present.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 12 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST