Panchayats, people to decide their own priorities: Lt Guv
Says administration will be facilitator
Kud (Udhampur): Panchayats and people will be the sole planners and executors of developmental projects, while the administration will play the role of a facilitator, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday.
People should decide about the works to be executed and the government will use all its resources to fulfil them, Sinha said at a public function here in Udhampur district.
“We all are ready to work unitedly for your (peoples) progress and development. The role of all officers is just a facilitator. Under the ‘Back2Village’ programme, all works will be formulated and planned by panchayats, its members and the people. You will be its executors. We are here to facilitate, the L-G said.
The programme of the Jammu and Kashmir administration seeks to take governance to the hinterlands of the Union Territory.
L-G Sinha said that he was working on a four-point plan to accelerate growth, provide benefits of social security and welfare schemes to all, eliminate regional disparities and ensure effective execution of developmental works.
“Panchayats will be a new model of equitable development and growth in the country. The people of Jammu and Kashmir will decide their own priorities and the administration will be a facilitator,” he said.
There is no dearth of resources and infrastructure. Every work for the benefit of the people has been completed with honesty and within a stipulated timeframe, Sinha said.
He said that he will ensure socio-economic growth of Jammu and Kashmir.The Union Territory will become an example and a benchmark for other states of the country, the L-G said.
Sinha said that the Back2Village’ programme ensures transparent and accountable governance in rural Jammu and Kashmir.
The L-G commended the deputy commissioner of Udhampur for the pro-active approach towards developmental works in various sectors and said that the administration has worked efficiently to speed up development in the region.
”There should be on the spot decisions on problems of the people. People should also participate in such programmes,” Sinha said.
The L-G said that the administration has also been fined tuned to ensure accountability.
“I have brought the government to your doorstep. Now, you shall decide the works to be completed and to be taken up on priority. ‘Back2Village’ is a celebration of people’s participation in development. The success of ‘Back2Village’ programmes is entirely due to the active participation of the masses,” Sinha said.
Taking cognizance of long pending demand of Chenani-Patangarh bridge over Tawi, the Lt Governor assured that a double-lane modern steel superstructure bridge would be completed by July, next year benefiting about 15 Panchayats. ‘The 5 km approach road to the bridge would also be completed along with the project’, he added.
‘Back to Village and Jan Abhiyan is a step towards more transparent and accountable governance. Funds, Functions and Functionaries are now available at your doorstep. At the same time, awareness also needs to be created in the public about people’s rights and welfare schemes that centre and UT administration has already approved for them’, he continued.
‘Each district has been provided funds of Rs 2.5 crore and additional Rs 10 lakh for Back to Village works. There is a need to work with honesty and dedication for utilization of these funds and execution of works’, said the Lt Governor.
Discussing the agriculture sector, the Lt Governor observed the need to modernize, industrialize and diversify it to strengthen village economies and providing ample sources of livelihood to young generation.
‘Jammu & Kashmir needs a different kind of green revolution focusing on livelihoods diversification through allied activities. I’m working on many farmer friendly initiatives to ensure a more rapid, holistic agricultural development in Jammu Kashmir’, the Lt Governor maintained. He made a special mention of project Jeevika which has led to a new approach of integrated and remunerative farming in the clusters where the project is being implemented.
The Lt Governor spoke on Prime Minister’s visionary Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana and how it is going to benefit the district through implementation of measures like micro-irrigation. He also called for creation of 300 clusters of organic farming in the district and for revival of water resources and revamping water supply for agriculture and horticulture sectors.
The Lt Governor highlighted the need to deliver benefits of social security schemes to large rural population of the district. ‘More than 32 thousand people from 236 panchayats of Udhampur have benefitted from Integrated Social Security schemes’, the Lt Governor noted. He also expressed the need to speed up Aadhaar seeding with pension beneficiaries, the existing figures being 70% only.
The Lt Governor appreciated the huge number of scholarships given during Jan Abhiyaan and said that 14908 Pre-Matric while 566 Post-Matric scholarships have been provided in the district during the period.
Summarizing achievements of ongoing Back to Village programme, the Lt Governor announced that 1.79 lakh beneficiaries have been linked with Jammu & Kashmir Health Insurance Scheme, 65 thousand farmers have been provided Kisan Credit Card, 1.55 lakh ration cards have been seeded with Aadhar and more than 55 thousand farmers have benefitted under PM KISAN initiative.
He also asked the elected PRI members to generate awareness for the benefit of the local population. Every Wednesday is dedicated to public grievance redressal at Sub-Division level on rotation basis, he added.
KV News
