Srinagar, June 6: Panchayats would soon be partners in planning and execution of development programs in Jammu and Kashmir as State Government Wednesday said that it has completed the process for devolution of powers to the institutions.
 The Government was “actively considering” paying honorarium to the elected Panchayat members, Sarpanchs and Panchs, apart from strengthening Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRIs) in terms of infrastructure and manpower.
 “It was our commitment (with people) to strengthen public institutions and system of governance. The Government has issued orders for empowering the Panchayats with powers of 14 departments to ensure democratic decentralization at the grassroots level,” Minister for Rural Development, Ali Muhammad Sagar, said at a press conference here.
 The Minister said Government has empowered Additional District Development Commissioners to monitor the implementation of the orders empowering the PRIs at block level.
 “The Chief Minister had asked the departments to issue detailed orders within next 15 days to operationalise powers already devolved to Panchayats. The process has been completed,” Sagar said.
 Panchayat polls were held in JK last year after a gap of 34 years and the Government had then promised devolution of powers to the grassroots representatives.
 Though the Cabinet had approved transferring a set of functions besides adequate finance from 14 line departments to the Panchayats in September 2011, the order was delayed.
 J&K has around 4128 Panchayats, however 1800 of them are without Panchayat Ghars. The number of Panchs and Sarpanchs is 29719 and 4130 respectively.
 He said Rs 115 crore has been released for repair and renovation of Panchayat Ghars besides Rs 42 crore has been sanctioned as Panchayati fund for taking up certain works by the PRIs. An amount of Rs 25,000 each has been released to every Panchayat for purchase of furniture and paying rents, he said.
 “The remaining (1800) Panchayat Ghars will be set up in next six months which will cost another Rs 115 crore,” Sagar said. “These elected members are partners in the process of effective governance system.”
 Sagar said Government was actively considering paying honorarium to the elected members. “The matter has gone to the Finance department for their opinion.”
 Responding to a question, Sagar said attacks on the elected members is a concern for the Government. He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has asked the Director General of Police to get it inquired which “agency” was behind the acts.
 “Those who are behind the attacks should understand that Panchayats have people’s mandate. Over 90 per cent people took part in the historic elections last year,” Sagar said.
 Referring to the demand by Congress, a coalition partner in the National Conference-led Government, for incorporation of the 73rd Amendment in State Panchayat Raj Act, the Minister said Union Ministry for Rural Development has acknowledged that the Panchayat members were “enjoying more powers” in J&K. The constitution of the Finance and the Election Commissions has been envisaged in the State Act, Sagar said.
 Sagar said elections to the Block Development Councils (BDCs) would be held “soon” to put in order the 3rd tier of the Panchayat Raj system.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 6 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 7 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST