Govt for effective decentralisation of powers: Advisor Sharma

Jammu: Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, KK Sharma, Monday said the government is committed towards effective decentralisation of powers to the grass roots level so that participatory governance is ensured which is the cornerstone of democratic set up.
Advisor was speaking at the My Town My Pride programme held at Billawar town here Monday.
Chairman Municipal Committee Billawar, Rama Kant Basotra, Visiting Officer, Commissioner Sale Taxes, PK Bhat, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, OP Bhagat and senior officers of different departments were present.
“Urban-Rural connect is imperative for development of Jammu & Kashmir and it is the main underlying factor of ‘My Town My Pride’ programme, said the Advisor adding that every Municipal Council will be given Rs 1 crore to fill gaps in ongoing works”, the Advisor maintained. He said Municipal Committees will be given Rs 50 lakh each and Rs 5 crore will be given to Municipal Corporations to fill the gaps.
Advisor said with success of Back to Village-3 programme, the need for a similar initiative for urban centres was also felt, as a result of which, My Town My Pride programme was formulated. He said the programme would ensure holistic and need based development of the urban areas of Jammu & Kashmir.
While asking the officers to be responsive to the needs and demands of the people, the Advisor said they should give a feel of accountable, responsive, and participatory governance to locals. The officers should make efforts for ensuring maximum saturation of social security and beneficiary-oriented schemes; ensuring speedy issuance of important documents, certificates; revenue services, and mobilization and proper utilization of developmental funds.
“During two days of this ambitious programme issues and concerns of urban populace will come to fore, which would be then dealt with the interventions of the government thereby ensuring proper deliverance of services and also filling the developmental gaps, he asserted.
Advisor also distributed cheques among beneficiaries under different programmes like PMAY, PMEGY, NULM, KCC and inspected the stalls set up by different departments on the occasion.