Union PR Secy. on a two day visit to Valley

Srinagar: Union Secretary, Panchayati Raj(PR), Rahul Bhatnagar, who was on a two day visit to the Valley to get the feedback regarding the functioning of Panchayati Raj Institutions and the Self Help Groups under NRLM visited various Panchayats of Block Khansahib and Block Parnewa of District Budgam.
The visiting dignitary was accompanied by Sheetal Nanda, Secretary Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Qazi Sarwar, Director Rural Development Department Kashmir, S.E REW Kashmir, ACD Budgam and SDM Khansahib.
Bhatnagar had an interactive session with the newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs of these Panchayats who appreciated the role of the Department in empowering them at gross root level in implementation of various Centrally Sponsored Schemes viz 14th F.C and MG NREGA. He gave a keen hearing towards the various issues projected by the PRIs and assured that their suggestions will be looked into with positive approach.
The Union Secretary also held an interaction with the Self Help Groups under Scheme UMEED and appreciated the efforts of the Department which has resulted in economic empowerment of the Rural Women. Thereafter he also inspected some works in these areas.
The Union Secretary held meetings with the officers / officials of Rural Development Department and newly elected Sarpanchs / Panchs.
The meeting was also attended by Sheetal Nanda Secretary Rural Development Department & Panchayati Raj, Rehana Batool Director General Rural Development Department Jammu, Qazi Sarwar Director Rural Development Department Kashmir, Sheikh Nazir, Director Panchayati Raj and Abdul Rashid War, Mission Director J&K NRLM.
During the meeting discussions were held regarding the empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions and suggestions were received from the officers / officials / PRIs to strengthen these PRIs.
The Union Secretary, assured consideration of their suggestions, besides issued the directions to give the emphasis on training of the youths in various fields under Centrally Sponsored Schemes of the Department, so that the youths may be given opportunities to work and earn livelihood under ongoing schemes. He also stressed for early completion of the BSNL connectivity in various Panchayat Institutions and directed the executing agencies (BSNL) for expediting the same as early as possible.
The progress of establishment of Community Service Centres (CSCs) in various Panchayats also came up for discussion and he was apprised that a number of CSCs are already operational and efforts are on to extend these centres in all the Panchayats, so as to facilitate various types of services to the general public.