‘Govt gives emphasise on Panchayati Raj promotion’

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya while delivering his address on the first day of Budget Session of the 14th Haryana Vidhan Sabha which commenced here on February 20 said that after taking a giant leap forward by holding elections of educated citizens as Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) representatives, the State is swiftly moving towards promotion of self sufficiency of all the PRIs.
“My Government is actively working towards their empowerment by building their capacities and by devolving functions and funds to them. Greater roles and responsibilities are now being given to all the three levels of PRIs. My Government is also planning to enhance own resources and revenue of PRIs by giving them various powers of taxation such as Panchayat Tax on electricity consumption and surcharge on stamp duty. We have also given them full financial autonomy with respect to their own funds”, the Governor added.
He said that present State Government has taken a significant step towards gender empowerment by ensuring participation of women at all levels of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
“In the general elections held for all the PRIs, half of the elected representatives are women. Similarly, adequate representation has also been given to the persons belonging to Backward Classes (A) in the Panchayati Raj Institutions,” he added. The Governor Further informed that to establish connection between rural inhabitants and Government, a unique initiative of Gram Darshan Portal has been started by my Government. So far 15,553 demands have been received on the portal out of which 7,693 demands have been recommended by the public representatives to the various departments for necessary action, he shared. The Governor informed that his government has given high priority and emphasis on creation and up-gradation of Urban Infrastructure.
“My Government has taken appropriate steps for de-centralization of powers and accordingly administrative and financial powers of all Urban Local Bodies have been enhanced for timely execution of development works,” said Bandaru Dattatraya. The Governor further asserted that the Urban Local Bodies Department has
brought out a Policy for sale of municipal shops/houses which have been on lease/rent for 20 years. Till date 9,766 applications have been submitted on this portal, out of which 2,126 applications have been approved and 5,724 applications are under process,
he added.