Soz meets PM, seeks of Rs 100 crore for sarpanchs, panchs

Soz said he conveyed to the PM the feelings of people of his state on empowering Panchyati Raj institutions.

This would enable democratisation of the entire space at the grass root level besides making developmental process fully participative, a statement released by Soz's office quoted him as conveying to the Prime Minister.

"In this connection, I sought the Prime Minister's support to Jammu and Kashmir state's proposal for grant of Rs 100 crore for providing honorarium and insurance cover to sarpanchs and panchs in the state," Soz said.

At the instance of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, state Rural development Minister Ali Mohammed Sagar had written a letter requesting for release of nearly Rs 80 crore for providing honorarium and insurance cover to newly- elected 35,000 sarpanchs and panchs.

Soz also requested for a re look at the economic policy of the state keeping in view the structural reform with a special focus on infrastructural development and employment generation in private sector.

The Pradesh Congress Chief also suggested that passenger and commercial traffic on Srinagar-Rawalpindi road and Poonch-Rawalakote road must gather speed besides opening of other border points.

"The Prime Minister's response to these suggestions was heart-warming," Soz said.