Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will hold interactions with members of district and block development councils as well as Panchayat representatives every month to take good governance to the grassroot level, an official spokesman said on Saturday.
He also said that this step lays a platform for elected representatives to voice the aspirations of the people and area-specific needs. This will ensure equitable development for all, the spokesman said.
“Taking good governance to the grassroot level and strengthening participatory democracy, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha will interact with the DDCs (District Development Councils), BDCs (Block Development Councils) and Panchayat representatives once every month under the ‘LG Mulaqaat’ programme,” he said.
The spokesman said the Jammu and Kashmir government is making all-out efforts to make Panchayati Raj a more vibrant institution in the Union Territory in the true sense.
Taking feedback from Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) on the functioning of the administration and on execution of works on the ground, and getting first hand information about their concerning issues, will be some of the key aspects of this monthly interaction, he said.
The spokesman said the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj department will formulate a mechanism for holding interactions of the LG with all three-tiers of Panchayati Raj Institutions once every month.
The LG has directed senior government officials and deputy commissioners to ensure PRI representatives are an integral part of every government function, accorded due protocol and involved at every stage of planning and implementation of developmental projects, the spokesman said.
“The Jammu and Kashmir government is strengthening participatory democracy, and making PRIs more empowered, vibrant in the true sense. The ‘LG Mulaqaat’ will become a platform to voice developmental aspirations of the people and a strong mechanism to address area-specific needs,” the spokesman quoted LG Sinha as having said.
In a recent meeting, Sinha had assured DDC chairpersons that the government’s focus is on the empowerment of the Panchayati Raj system and strengthening grassroot level of democracy.
He had also said that the administration will leave no stone unturned to make this institution more responsive while making sure PRI representatives are taken on board on issues confronting the common man.
“I can assure you that the government will provide all facilities, office and accommodation to DDCs. Your participation was a response to those who were raising doubts over DDC election,” Sinha had told the DDC chairpersons.
Recently, the government approved a Rs 12,600.58-crore District Capex Budget 2021-22, which is more than double to the previous year’s budget, for equitable development with active involvement of Panchayats, BDCs, and DDCs, the spokesman said.
Pertinently, Chief Secretary, Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta had earlier held a threadbare and comprehensive discussion with the chairpersons of DDCs, and during the course of parleys, the elected representatives had projected their concerning issues and other issues of public importance.
The same has been taken cognizance of for appropriate action and the issues projected are getting serious consideration at the highest level, the spokesman said.
