Shopian: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference in its series of block-wise programs today held a Panchayat Convocation here in the district Shopian of Kashmir division wherein a large number of Panches, Sarpanches, AJKPC members, and other prominent people of the area attended the program.
The theme of the program was “ Making Panchayats Self Reliant and Role of Panchayats in Nation Building”.
Anil Sharma, the president of the AJKPC presided over the program and several other participants gave their valuable suggestions on the topic to make Panchayats self-reliant so that they do not remain dependent upon state and union government for funds.
The AJKPC President while addressing the gathering hailed the local team of his organization for holding program on such an important topic and also appreciated the participants and speakers for their commendable suggestions. Sharma in his speech said that there is nothing wrong with the State and Union governments giving funds to the panchayats as Panchayats are also an important pillar of democracy that has a special mention in the constitution. He also stated that Every penny transferred in the Panchayat account is meant to be spent for the public welfare therefore like state and union governments, Panchayats also have an important role.
Terming the Panchayat as natural and lawful guardian and owner of Water bodies, forests, and minor minerals under the jurisdiction of a Panchayats, he demanded that the J & K government must pass ownership rights to the PRIs on these important resources to make the Panchayats self-reliant. He said on pilot basis projects, the J & K UT government must give a few Panchayats the rights on Water bodies, Forests, and minor miner mining and experience the economic well-being of the people under these Panchayats and if these pilot Projects remain satisfactory then government must continue this formula in other Panchayats as well.
The Other Participants also called for involving Panchayats in the promotion of tourism in J & K as each Panchayat in J&K have its own importance and significance with regard to famous temples, Ziarats, shrines, forts, lakes, ponds, monuments, Parks, and Gardens. They said there is huge potential in village tourism thus involving Panchayats would be beneficial for all the stakeholders.
The other prominent office bearers of AJKPC who attended the event and presented their views included BDC AK Pandita, Malik Shahnawaz, GH Hassan Paswal, Manzoor Shakoor Ah, Sajad Ah, Tahir Ah, Shabir Banaya, Saleem, Manzoor Paswal, Taj Mohd, Manoj Pandita, Mahesh Dhar, Mushtaq Ahmed, Bashir Ahmed Parry.
