DC Bandipora holds interactive Session with PRI members

Discusses rural issues, role of Gram Panchayats

BANDIPORA, APRIL 20: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) 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 (DDC) 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, Sarpanches and Panches of Bandipora district attended the session.

On the occasion, the officers of the Rural Development Department delivered their presentations about the different aspects of Panchayat Raj.

The DC on the occasion highlighted the importance of Gram Sabhas in Panchayati Raj and said that 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 the 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.

Dr Owais urged the PRI members to inform the locals about the Panchayat Raj system so that all citizens take part in the decision making process and feel their stakes in the development of the country.

The meeting also deliberated about the vision and goal of different  areas envisioned under sustainable development goals besides discussing roles and activities to be performed by PRIs at Gram Panchayat Level.

Detailed suggestions were received 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 the public to a large extent.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman DDC urged upon the PRIs to enthusiastically participate in “Panchayati Raj Diwas” as the day adds strength to grassroots level democracy which is envisaged through the Panchayat Raj.