Jammu, Jan 31: The Government today clarified that the mandate of the Committee of Legislators constituted by the Speaker is only to discuss protocol and perks of Legislators and it has nothing to do with the transfer of powers to Panchayats.
 A spokesman of the Government in a statement said that powers of Panchayats are enshrined in the Panchayat Raj Act and administrative orders issued from time to time in this regard.
 He said Government stands committed to a strong and empowered Panchayat Raj system in the State. He further asserted that no effort will ever be allowed from any quarter to dilute these powers.
 He reiterated Government’s firm commitment for a powerful Panchayat Raj and dispelled all efforts to create confusion by some quarters on one or the other pretext describing these as baseless.
 “The Government is committed to transfer of powers to Panchayats to make these powerful units of governance at the grass root level”, the spokesman said reiterating that the Committee constituted by the Speaker has no role whatsoever in the transfer of powers to the Panchayats.
  The spokesman said that Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has already set in motion the process of transfer of powers to the Panchayats and till now more than fifty services of fourteen departments have been transferred to the Panchayats besides granting Rs. 1.00 lakh to each Panchayat to carry out works in their Panchayat Halqas.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 1 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST