Jammu, June 17: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said a Committee headed by Chief Secretary was finalizing the report regarding transfer of powers to the Panchayats.
 “We want powerful Panchayats to deliver as per public aspirations and in accordance with the specific requirements in specific areas”, Omar said while addressing Panches and Sarpanches of Vijaypur and Samba Assembly Constituencies here.
 He said handsome amount of funds were expected from the Central Government to be transected by the Panchayats for the development and upgradation of basic amenities in their areas.
 Describing Panchayats as the basic units of development, Omar re-affirmed his Government’s commitment to make these grass root institutions powerful enough to deliver effectively and democratically.
 Omar said his constant interactions with the elected public representatives at Assembly Constituency level was to get first hand appraisal of the views of Panches and Sarpanches regarding establishment of powerful Panchayat system in the State.
 Omar said the decision of holding Panchayat polls in the State after 33 years was a historic one. “It has paved the way to empower public representatives and make development holistic and equitable”, he said adding Panchayats had not only to be involved in the rural development works, but in monitoring the functioning of health, education, CAPD, PHE and other public service delivery departments.
 “Your responsibility is holistic in nature”, he told the gathering asking them to function as an important tool to fight corruption and reduce the chances of malpractices in the development process. “People have reposed faith in your ability and sincerity. Now is the time for you to deliver on ground and prove to be their real friends”, he added.
 “For non-existence of Panchayats in the State we had to incur comprehensive losses in terms of Central grants. By the establishment of Panchayat Raj we are expecting about Rs 400 to Rs 500 crores annually in the sector”, he said and asked the Panches to exhibit highest degree of responsibility and sincerity in providing service to the people.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 18 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST