Srinagar, Jan 14: Notwithstanding the tall claims of Jammu and Kashmir Government about strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in the State, the newly created post of Director Panchayati Raj is lying vacant for the past three months. 
 Pertinently, the creation of the post along with re-designation of Rural Development Department as the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj were touted as major initiatives by the State Government towards empowerment of Panchayats as well as  its  major achievements in 2012.
 Informed sources in the Civil Secretariat told Greater Kashmir that the State Government is sitting on  appointing new Director Panchayati Raj,  who  is mandated to coordinate devolution of powers to Panchayati Raj Institutions,  for the past  three months.
 “The post became vacant  after Dilshada Khan was transferred to recruiting agency, Services Selection Board on October 23 , 2012 . Since then no official has been assigned the charge,” an official said.
 Pertinently, on July 4 last year Dilshada was posted as first Director of Panchayati Raj in Jammu and Kashmir.  Three months later she was shifted to SSB.
 An officer in Rural Development Department said that Dilshada couldn’t discharge responsibilities during her three month stint, primarily due to absence of the office and staff. “It took nearly one month for her and other officials to identify space for them in the Civil Secretariat. Even, requisite staff was not placed in the office while more than one month was consumed in posting an Under-Secretary and stenographer with the newly appointed Director,” they added.
 When contacted, State Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar said that the Director would be posted shortly.
 “Even today I discussed the matter with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah,” Sagar said. 
 Pertinently, the creation of the post of Director cum Special Secretary, Panchayati Raj (PR) in the Administrative department (Rural Development and Panchayati Raj) was recommended by the High Level Committee headed by Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal in 2011. The post was created to coordinate matters of 4000 Panchayats particularly distribution of powers to them on pattern of other states.  In Kashmir region, there are 2164 Sarpanchs and 15,959 Panchs while in Jammu there are 1966 Sarpanchs and 13,760 Panchs.
 The issue of devolution of powers to Sarpanchs has assumed central stage in Jammu and Kashmir since last year with Centre asking State Government to empower them.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
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