Srinagar, July 2: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Saturday said he would seek a mega JK Panchayat Sabha in Srinagar to be chaired by Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh to arrange direct interaction between him and Panchayat members.
 “While we are hopeful that the current dialogue process between India and Pakistan, and the task entrusted to Interlocutors would yield positive results in addressing basic political issues of Jammu and Kashmir relieving us permanently from the shadow of gun, we want to address our development issues simultaneously”, he said adding that such an interaction session of Sarpanchs and Panchs of Jammu and Kashmir with the Prime Minister of India would prove highly beneficial on the development front. “I would strive for such a session in the month of September-October this year”, he elaborated and said that he would invite Dr. Manmohan Singh to chair the conference.
 Speaking to sarpanchs and panchs of Srinagar district at SKICC here, the Chief Minister said that beauty of democracy is that grass root public representatives are sharing same conference hall in the SKICC with the Chief Minister, Ministers and Government officers where Prime Minister, Union Ministers and top central leadership interact with the top leadership of the State.
 The Chief Minister said that respecting sarpanchs and panchs amounts to respecting democracy. He said administration at all levels has been sensitized in this regard. “You will be provided with a special photo identity card so that your entries to the offices are hassle-free and you can discuss development issues with the concerned officers”, he added and said that effective and purposeful Panchayats are must for holistic development of the State.
 Announcing formulation of a fresh BPL list in the State as per new census report, the Chief Minister said that elected panchayat members will be actively involved in its formulation. “We want a comprehensive and correct list of BPL families to provide them benefits and help their socio-economic development. There are number of complaints against the authenticity of existing BPL list in the State. This requires attention and proper addressing”, he said terming that Panchayats would be an important apparatus to achieve this target.
 Omar Abdullah said that holding of panchayat elections after a long period of 33-years was a challenge and his Government had succeeded to meet it. “Our next destination is empowering Panchayats in the State. We are determined in this regard”, he said and assured them that they would get full powers to the degree possible to deliver and come up to the expectations of voters.
  “Many rumors were spread regarding the holding of elections, participation of candidates and voter turnover,” he said.
 He congratulated the people for coming out and voting in large numbers to elect their representatives. “Your overwhelming participation has vindicated your faith in the democratic institutions in getting your day-to-day problems addressed and solved,” he said and asked the sarpanchs and panchs to be prepared to shoulder the responsibilities of serving the people with authority and powers.
 Sarpanchs and panchs from 10 Panchayat Halqas of Srinagar district shared their experience and apprised the Chief Minister of the problems of the particular areas they represent. They also demanded remuneration for sarpanchs and panchs so that they could perform their functioning smoothly.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Jul 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 2 Jul 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 3 Jul 2011 00:00:00 IST