Abdul Haq asks officials to make Gram Sabha decisions public

Provide copy of approved works to participants: Making decisions 

public will ensure transparency in RDD

SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 24: Minister for Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, Law and Justice, Abdul Haq Khan today directed the officials of Rural Development to make the decisions of Gram Sabhas public soon after its commencement.

He said making the decision immediately public, will ensure transparency in plans and no work will be included without the approval of the Gram Sabhas.

Minister directed the officials to provide the list of approved works to the participants of the Gram Sabha immediately after its commencement so that people keep record of the works and will help people in keeping track of the developmental works under MGNREGA and other related schemes of the department.

As the department has started organising Gram Sabhas in rural areas, Abdul Haq directed the officials to ensure mass participation in Gram Sabhas so that people can decide themselves which works are to be taken in their respective villages.

Maintaining that Gram Panchayats are the most important element of the Panchayati Raj system, Minister said J&K would achieve real progress at the grassroots level only if the Gram Panchayats are strengthened and empowered.

          Minister termed Gram Sabhas as the parliaments of the rural areas and called for strengthening the democracy at the grassroots level by empowering the Gram Sabhas.

            Maintaining that Gram Sabhas are the most important element of the Panchayati Raj system, Abdul Haq said J&K would achieve real progress at the grassroots level only if the Gram Panchayats are made more vibrant and active.

Abdul Haq said for the people of rural areas, Gram Sabha is the parliament, where people decide which development works have to be taken up in their villages. He said this process will build confidence among the people in democratic setup and will ensure transparency in functioning of the government.

He said Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti wants to bring transparency in the system and that the Gram Sabhas will play crucial role in this regard as people will be part of decision-making.

He said adequate publicity should be undertaken before convening Gram Sabhas to ensure larger participation of youth, women and elders in such events.  He asked block level officers to record Gram Sabhas on camera and hold in open ground instead of closed rooms so that more and more people participate in the decision making process.