Gives nod to creation of 1083 posts of VLWs, roping in of consultancy.
JAMMU: In yet another initiative to empower Panchayats and ensure devolution of functions, functionaries and funds to these grassroots level democratic institutions, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has approved roping in of consultancy for formulating roadmap for block level distribution of funds from within the district plan based on the parameters of population, backward indices and potential.
This breakup is required to be carried out in view of the three tier governance under Panchayat Raj institution, the coalition government has set in motion. The consultants so engaged will spell out the percentage of allocations of resources to each block from within the district plan.
It would also help implementation of State Finance Commission Report which has worked out criterion for district plan allocation and its distribution. There was a need for moving ahead with block level distribution of funds from within the district plan based on the parameters of population, backwardness and potential of the area and consultancy will smooth the process in this regard.
The Chief Minister also approved creation of 1083 posts of Village Level Workers (VLWs) for effective functioning of Panchayats in the State. Each VLW acts as Secretary of the Panchayat, records the minutes of the Panchayat proceedings, convenes Gram Sabha, discharges administrative and financial functions and in the backdrop of devolution of 3Fs to Panchayats, the task of VLW has increased manifold.
There are 4139 Panchayats in the State with 3056 available manpower of VLWs. By the creation of 1083 posts the gap in the availability of VLWs to man the Panchayats is now filled up.
Omar Abdullah has already sanctioned Rs. One lakh to each Panchayat to carry out small development works as per local requirements in the respective Panchayat Halqas. He approved over Rs. 41 crore for this purpose which stand allotted to the Panchayats for carrying out the works.
The Chief Minister said that powerful and effective Panchayat Raj in the State is commitment of the coalition government and every required step would be taken in this direction. “We have already transferred various functions to the Panchayats from various government departments and many more are being transferred to these institutionsâ€, he said adding that he wants to see Panchayat Raj flourishing in the State and public representatives at grassroots involved in development policy framing and implementation of works in their respective areas.
Omar said effective and powerful Panchayats would at one hand help address area specific development needs and on the other check the financial leakages by effective monitoring of works and pinpointing bottlenecks in timeline completion of schemes. (KMW NEWS)
