Srinagar: In the last leg of his weeklong visit to Jammu & Kashmir, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met with the representatives of District Development Councils (DDCs), Block Development Councils (BDCs) and Panchayats at Gulmarg, today.
During his interaction with representatives of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Birla emphasized the role of democratic institutions at the grass-root level in making the executive accountable.
He said that the DDCs, BDCs and Panchayats should meet regularly, address the issues of the public and ensure accountability of the government. These institutions should also devise their rules and procedures, said Birla.
He added that local representatives should have a say in legislative process as they are the link between the people and administration, and are thus in a better position to reflect people’s hopes and aspirations.
Birla said that adequate training of local representatives about legislative process and rules and procedures would strengthen these institutions to channelize the fruits of development to the last person.
He said that capacity building measures would be undertaken by the Lok Sabha Secretariat for training of Panchayat representatives. Birla also invited local representatives from Jammu & Kashmir to visit Parliament so that they may have a first-hand experience of the legislative process.
According to an official press release, lauding the enthusiasm of the local representatives and their commitment to development, Birla called for their involvement to promote tourism.
He added that providing marketing platform for local products would improve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) and ensure employment to local youth and women.
Birla took note of the peace and development initiatives in the region and said that he would sensitize the authorities concerned to review travel advisories on visiting Kashmir, the press release said.
Birla had arrived in Srinagar on August 29, 2021 to inaugurate the Parliamentary outreach programme for empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions of Jammu and Kashmir. Yesterday Birla had met the local representatives of Anantnag.
