JAMMU, JULY 18: Amid strong demand of empowerment of rural local bodies, around 43 percent of Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir were without Panchayat Ghars.
 Official sources said out of 4128 Panchayats in the State, 1788 were without buildings. While some of the Panchayat Ghars were running in rented accommodation, most of the others were functioning without any building.
 They said that government has now taken up construction work on Panchayat Ghar buildings during the last two years under 13th Finance Commission and BRGF in convergence with MNREGA, sources said adding,
 “An amount of Rs 108 crore was released during 2011-12 under 13th Finance Commission for construction of Panchayat Ghars”. They said that Rs 41.17 crore were also provided to Panchayats as untied grant at the rate of Rs 1 lac per Panchayat out of State Plan and Rs 32.18 lacs were provided as rent of hired buildings across the state.
 The state government has also spent an amount of Rs 11.61 crore for purchase of furniture and fixtures and rent of hired Panchayat Ghars during the last two years, sources added.
 The 16-phase Panchayat polls in the state were held during April-June last year. The elections were marked by a high voter turnout. Over 75 percent of the more than five million eligible voters participated in the polls.
 The last panchayat elections in the state were held in 2000-2001.
 The state government is now contemplating to hold the much awaited elections for Block Development Council elections by the end of this year. The elections to the second tire of local governance will be held in Jammu and Kashmir for the first time in the State history which will be followed by constitution of the District Planning and Development Boards, thus, putting in place the three tier Panchayati Raj System in the State of J&K.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 18 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 18 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 19 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST