Srinagar, May 31: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday reassured Panches and Sarpanches that Government would transfer maximum possible powers to them to establish an effective and delivering Panchayat Raj in the State.
“A Committee of high ranking officers headed by the Chief Secretary is working out a transfer of functions, funds and functionaries (3Fs) to Panchayats”, he said adding that the report of the Committee is in the last stage of formulation.
Interacting with Panchs and Sarpanchs at Beerwah and Budgam after inaugurating 4-day training course for them, the Chief Minister said that holding of Panchayat election in the State after 33 years was a historic decision of far reaching consequences on the development and social fronts.
“The establishment of democratic institutions at lower level would at one hand strengthen the democracy in the State and on the other help to empower people to take decisions about the development aspects by themselves and be important part in policy planning”, he added.
The Chief Minister said that Panchayats would prove an effective tool to keep eye on the works and reduce chances of corruption. He said the monitoring of works would get cutting edge initiative by the Panchayat Raj and the war against corruption considerable impetus.
“By holding Panchayat election in the State, I aim at shifting powers from the central level to public representatives at grass roots so that they could themselves decide about the launch of area specific development works in their areas according to public requirement and preference. This cannot be achieved at the secretariat level”, he added.
Omar Abdullah asked the Panchs and Sarpanchs to make sincerity, honesty and response to public needs benchmark of their functioning. “You have all the more responsibilities towards the society and the voters who have elected you by taking part in large numbers in the elections”, he said adding that every voter will keenly watch the conduct and service of Panchs and Sarpanchs in his area. “In your best and honest service delivery lies the success of Panchayat Raj”, he told the Panchs and Sarpanchs.
The Chief Minister said that by initiating the programme of direct contact with newly elected Panchs and Sarpanchs at constituency level, he wanted to listen to their view points and suggestions for strengthening Panchayat Raj in the State. “I am the torch bearer of the programmes and strategies envisioned by Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah for the empowerment, honour and dignity of the people of the State. My every step would be to achieve prosperous and peaceful Jammu and Kashmir for its every citizen”, he asserted adding that Panchayat election is a step towards this direction.
The Chief Minister said that the functional orbit for Panchayats will not be restricted to rural development alone. “These institutions have to look into the functioning of schools, health centres, CAPD stores, establishment of anganwari centres, distribution of pension and relief to the beneficiaries and many more matters of important public concern”, he elaborated and asked the Panchs and Sarpanchs to be fully prepared to shoulder these responsibilities and prove their mettle on the delivery front.
Omar called for a coordinated approach by Panchayats and the administration in addressing public grievances and carrying forward development agenda jointly to realize the equitable and holistic progress in the State. “You have to complement each other in launch, implementation and completion of the works according to the aspirations of the people”, he said.

PDP MEMBERS ABSTAIN
 Meanwhile, Opposition PDP backed Sarpanchs and Panchs Tuesday abstained from the meeting chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
 “Disappointing to see that PDP has decided not to attend the interactive sessions with the Panch and Sarpanch,” Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.
 The interactive session with the newly elected Panchs and Sarpanchs of two assembly constituencies – Budgam and Beerwa- was chaired by the chief minister.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST