Omar reaffirms powerful Panchayat system in J&K

JAMMU: Reaffirming his Government’s commitment for effective and powerful Panchayat system in the State, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that the orders for transfer of powers regarding 18 departments have already been issued and he would personally analyze the status of their implementation at grass roots at a meeting of the heads of these departments soon.
Dispelling speculations and propaganda carried by certain elements regarding establishment of a powerful Panchayat Raj system in the State, the Chief Minister said that gradual taking over of the affairs of District Development Boards by elected Panchayats is the ultimate objective of his Government.
“Before the end of the tenure of present dispensation we would work for ensuring that the Chairmen of the District Development Boards are the elected members of Panchayats and district plans are formulated with the active involvement of Panchayats.
Addressing a large gathering of Sarpanches and Panches at Zorawar Auditorium in Jammu University here after launching the process of distribution of identity cards to the panchayat members, the Chief Minister said that development process would receive considerable fillip through an effective Panchayat system and his Government is committed for the same.
Castigating those who circulate false propaganda regarding the transfer of powers to Panchayats, Omar Abdullah said that during their tenure they made Municipal Corporations and Councils ineffective and powerless bodies.
“They did not even attempt to empower urban local bodies with a single power and made them to suffer for want of funds and authority”, he added and said that his Government would reverse their trend by making grass root democratic institutions fountain head of powers. He said that any laxity in the smooth transfer of powers to Panchayats by the identified departments would not be accepted and the erring officials be dealt strictly for any kind of omission and commission in this regard.
Underlining the role of Panchayats in public awareness and successful implementation of Public Service Guarantee Act, Omar Abdullah asked Sarpanches and Panches to be an important part in making people aware of their rights and powers to get specified public service delivery within the prescribed timeframe. “You are the fastest medium to keep people apprised of their rights under the Act and the punishment erring officials are liable”, he told panchayat members asking them to explain the provisions of the Act during their speeches all across the State.
“I have directed the departments of power, transport, public health engineering, consumer affairs and public distribution, revenue and housing which come under the ambit of Public Service Guarantee Act, to install boards in the premises of their offices across the State giving details about the services and the timeframe these offices are bound to provide to the people. I have also told them to give details about the fine to be imposed on the erring official and the compensation paid to the consumers for not receiving the service within the stipulated time period”, he said and asked the panchayat members to check the presence of these boards in the office premises of these departments and if they find these missing they should report to concerned Deputy Commissioner as also to the office of the Chief Minister.
Omar Abdullah said that the issuance of identity cards to the panchayat members would enable them to enter the offices of Government departments, interact with officers and seek redressal of public grievances about development needs.
“Since the Panchayat system in the State is being established after over three decades as such all of us in the administration and in Panchayats have to learn working jointly and create a befitting culture to achieve the development goals”, he added and said that the involvement of Panchayats in the formulation of State’s next year’s Annual Plan would be ensured.
Speaking on the occasion Minister for Rural Development, Ali Mohamad Sagar underline the importance of devolution of powers to the Panchayat says that this would give new dimension to working culture and help addressing local needs effectively.
Sagar said that the Government led by Omar Abdullah has fulfilled the cherished desire of people regarding holding of elections to Panchayats and it is committed to transfer powers to these grass roots elected bodies to make them basic units of planning and development.
The Rural Development Minister expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for taking keen interest in the establishment of Powerful Panchayat Raj in the State and said that Omar Abdullah approved all the recommendations made by the Committee led by the Chief Secretary for transfer of powers to Panchayats.
The meeting was also addressed by Minister of State for Rural Development, Ajaz Ahmad Khan who highlighted the steps Government has taken to empower Panchayats and involve them in the process of plan formulation and implementation of development schemes.