J-K govt committed to strengthening panchayat raj system: NC

The ruling coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir is committed to strengthening the panchayat raj system in the state, as reflected in the powers given to members of the institution in the state, the National Conference (NC) said today.
"The coalition government under Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to strengthening panchayat raj system in the state in order to bring about socio-economic changes at the grassroots level," NC state vice-president Rattan Lal Gupta said in a statement here.
Panchayat members are fully empowered to identify under-developed areas and monitor the working of various government departments and centre-sponsored welfare schemes in their respective areas, he said.

Gupta hailed the members of three panchayats in J-K - Nagrota, Kota and Nagrota Barnoti - for picking up awards in 2013 from the Union panchayati raj ministry under the panchayati empowerment and accountability, initiative scheme.
"(The above) panchayats have done a marvellous job by fully utilising their powers and services to boost socio-economic condition of the people," he added.