JK govt takes steps to empower panchayat

Jammu: In a bid to empower panchayat in the state, the Jammu and Kashmir government today said it is finalising a road map for transfer of functions, functionaries and finances to the local body.
“State government is very clear about empowering panchayat. We have directed the officials concerned for finalising a road map for transfer of functions, functionaries and finances to panchayats,” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said here at a meeting to discuss issues pertaining to empowerment of panchayats.
“There should be no ambiguity about the empowerment of panchayat,” he said.
The Chief Minister had constituted a high power committee headed by chief secretary to formulate a road map for transfer of vital functions, functionaries and finances to panchayat in a fixed time frame.