J&K/Bandipora (The Stellar News), Anil Bhardwaj: Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad on Wednesday held an interactive session with members of Panchayat Raj Institutions (PRI) to discuss rural issues. Chairman District Development Council Bandipora Ab. Gani Bhat, Vice Chairperson District Development Council Kounsar Shafeeq, DDC Members, SSP Bandipora Mohammad Zahid, ACD Bandipora Ab. Rashid Das, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat Syed Altaf Hussain Mosavi, BDCs, BDOs, sarpanchs and panchs of Bandipora District attended the session.
On the occasion the officers of Rural Development Department delivered their presentations about the different aspects of Panchayat Raj. Speaking on the occasion Dr Owais highlighted the importance of Gram Sabhas in Panchayati Raj and said the Gram Sabhas act as Mini Parliaments of a village where every soul participates and decides about development in their village. He said with the introduction of three tier Panchayat system, the age old top down approach has ended wherein decisions would come from higher offices for the development program of village. He said now the decisions come from ground level and are implemented in higher offices and corridors of power thus fulfilling the real essence of Democracy at grassroots level.
He urged the PRI members to inform the locals about the Panchayat Raj system so that all citizens take part in decision making process and feel their stakes in the development of the country. The meeting also delibrated about the vision and goal of different areas envisioned under sustainable Development Goals besides discussing role and activities to be performed by PRIs at Gram Panchayat Level. Detailed suggestions were recieved from the DDCs, BDCs with regard to the celebration of “Panchayati Raj Diwas”. Dr.Owais added that PRI members are public representatives to air citizen centric demands and welfare of public to a large extent. Speaking on the occasion Chairman DDC Ab Gani urged upon the PRIs to Enthusiastically participate in “Panchayati Raj Diwas” as the day adds strength to Gross Root level democracy which is envisaged through the Panchayat Raj.
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