Srinagar, Aug 21: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha criticized mainstream parties for their opposition to providing land to the landless. He attributed to these parties the responsibility for the deaths of around 40,000 to 50,000 innocent citizens.
“These individuals resist peace and actively work against it. They incite violence on the streets, leading to the closure of educational institutions. Their actions have resulted in the tragic loss of innocent lives in J&K,” the LG stated, refraining from naming specific parties or individuals.
Addressing a three-day national workshop on Panchayat with Good Governance held at the Convention Centre, the Lieutenant Governor
questioned the gathering, including Sarpanchs, Panchs, BDCs, and DDCs, if they could point to a single instance of land or housing being provided to a non-resident of J&K under PMAY (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana). He clarified that despite claims, not a single non-resident had received land or housing under PMAY.
Union Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Shri Giriraj Singh, joined the conference virtually.
Highlighting changes over the past four years, the LG noted a reduction in street violence and the continuous operation of educational institutions. He mentioned the extended operational hours of restaurants and hotels, along with increased public activity even past 10 pm, particularly along the Jehlum riverfront. He characterized this as a substantial transformation.
The LG also stated that some individuals continue to incite violence, despite the prevailing peace. He highlighted the hosting of various national and international events in Srinagar and deemed the ongoing event on Panchayati Raj as significant.
“Genuine governance stems from Panchayats. The vision is for effective governance in every panchayat,” he proclaimed. He highlighted approximately 30,000 ongoing projects at the Panchayat level and emphasized the rationalization of funds, function, and functionaries, enabling people to benefit from the Panchayati Raj system.
“Self-employment schemes and Self Help Groups founded and run by rural women have immense potential for making rural society self-reliant and to increase household incomes by creating more opportunities for employment and self-employment at the grassroots level,” the Lt Governor said.
Meanwhile, “Meri Panchayat App”- an integrated and unified m-governance platform was also launched on the occasion.
Union Minister Giriraj Singh commended the UT Administration for its efforts in strengthening the three-tier Panchayati Raj System in J&K. He said initiatives like “Meri Panchayat” App are the new form of good governance and digital India to empower rural India.
During his e-address, Singh said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a new direction to the functioning of Panchayats in India making them ideal and equally sustainable that has not been done from last many decades.
“To make India prosperous, the Panchayats have to lead from the front with the implementation of policies and programs made by the centre, states and UTs ensuring transparency at all levels,” Singh added.
Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Kapil Moreshwar Patil, in his address stressed on the collective efforts of all stakeholders towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The occasion also marked the release of Operating Guidelines of National Capability Building Framework for PRIs, and Service level Benchmarks and Model Contracts for Gram Panchayats for Water Supply and Sanitation.
DDC Chairpersons; Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to Lt Governor; Sunil Kumar, Union Secretary, Panchayati Raj, Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner/Secretary, Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and PRI members from J&K and across the country were present.
