Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday urged the newly-elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to work for the speedy development of their respective areas with dedication and commitment and also ensure delivery of benefits under different programmes of the Government to the targeted groups.
The Chief Minister administered oath of allegiance of affirmation to the newly-elected Pradhans and Up-Pradhans of Kangra, Una and Chamba districts except Pangi.
Addressing the assembly of newly-elected representatives of panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) from three districts, the Chief Minister congratulated them for their successful election to the new office.
He said that 114 Panchayats had been elected unanimously and were entitled to a special development grant of `10 lakh each and that State Government would spend `11.40 crore for the purpose.
He hoped that it would give momentum to the pace of development in the State.
He said that Panchayats were the basic units of democracy and were responsible for overall development and ensuring welfare of the people at village level. The State Government was committed to realise the dream of Mahatma Gandhi by empowering the Panchayats.
He assured the newly elected representatives of PRIs to provide all possible assistance and funds for development works and urged them to fully utilise the funds for the welfare of the poor and needy one. He appealed them to ensure transparency in all development works.
The State Government was committed for the overall development of the state and many milestones had been achieved in various sectors particularly in education, health, electricity, road construction, providing drinking water, social welfare sectors etc. during the last three years. More than 994 new schools had been opened and up-graded and 25 new degree colleges had been opened in the State during this period, said the Chief Minister.
Virbhadra Singh said that `195.39 crore would be released to the Panchayats as per the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission during this financial year out of which `97.70 crore had been released as first installment. He gave a call to the elected representatives to optimally utilise the funds being provided to them for various development programmes.
To ensure maximum participation of women representatives, the Chief Minister said that a provision had been made of organising two Mahila Gram Sabha in a year and added that these Gram Sabha would be organized on March 8, Mahila Diwas and first Sunday in the month of September.
Virbhadra Singh also asked them to provide transparent and good governance in their respective Panchayat. He also stressed the need to work untiringly on the agenda of development for which everyone should work above all political consideration.
He added that the State Government was committed to strengthen the PRIs and decentralization of powers to the strongest grass root level units of democracy.
On the occasion, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister, Anil Sharma said that the State Government would impart training to all 28725 newly-elected Panchayat representatives within six months so that they could share the responsibility in an efficient manner.