Grassroots democracy:
Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Srinagar Oct 07 (KINS): Panchayats are the new supra body to monitor the functioning of government departments at grassroots level in Jammu and Kashmir.
From keeping tab on employees to redressing public grievances, Panches and Sarpanches are new eyes and ears of the government at the village level. Besides they are also competent authorities to grant permissions for constructions after following the rules.
An official said the government has constituted inspection teams to ensure 100 percent attendance of employees at the Panchayat level.
The official said the authorities had directed deputy commissioners to constitute teams for overseeing the punctuality of officials at sub division block level.
“Government has directed DCs to involve Block Development Council chairpersons, Sarpanches, Urban Local Body members at the grassroots level and plan formulated identification of works and also supervision of works,” the official told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Authorities have also directed that a mechanism should be adopted for installing drop boxes in all Panchayat Halqas so that people can feel free to register their complaints. Officials have been directed to ensure that the complaints, grievances, suggestions received are properly disposed of.
“Besides the complainant is being responded through letter and informed about the action taken on this complaint. District development commissioner shall regularly monitor the execution of Back To Village works and ensure their completion,” the official quoted government’s directives to DCs.
“Officials have been told to work on developmental projects like power, sanitation and roads. People at Panchayat Halqas can also give feedback about all these works through a complaint box,” an official of Finance Department, said.
Government has directed the officers to maintain records of works and ensure transparency in utilization of funds.
Sarpanch Panchayat, Village Level Worker, and Patwari has also been designated competent authority to grant permission for residential buildings within their Panchayat jurisdiction.
For the construction of commercial buildings in rural areas, SDM is the competent authority to issue permissions. His committee will include concerned Tehsildar, Town Planning Officer, BDO, and Sarpanch of Halqa Panchayat.
There are 4400 Sarpanches and over 35,000 Panches in Jammu and Kashmir. A Panch is given a monthly honorarium of Rs 1000 and Sarpanch 3000 by the government. (KINS)
