RAJNI SHARMA: 

The series of initiatives taken by the J&K UT Administration which is functioning under the realms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi led union government for strengthening grassroots level institutions is the real time indicator of the fact that soon prosperity and welfare of the masses in rural hamlets of the newly created UT will be a reality and the people’s sufferings will become the matter of the past.

Increasing remuneration of the BDC chairpersons and other Panchayat functionaries and elevation of protocol of aforesaid chairpersons will surely go a long way in bringing vibrancy to BDCs which in turn will help in implementation of public welfare schemes at rural areas of J&K UT. The UT Government has ordered payment of Rs 15,000 per month emoluments to the Chairpersons of the Block Development Councils (BDCs). They will get Rs 13,000 honourarium, Rs 1500 Travel Allowance and Rs 500 per month as telephone/ mobile usage charges. Besides, monthly honourarium of Sarpanchs has been increased from Rs 2500 to Rs 3000 with effect from December 2019. Surely, the government is working hard to empower rural areas, and giving due place to BDC chairpersons is a very significant move in this direction. Making newly elected chairpersons of the Block Development Councils at par with Deputy Commissioners has surely put life into the BDCs which otherwise were working sordidly with no zest or zeal. This endeavour is quite significant as far as bringing vivacity in the functioning of grassroots level institutions is concerned.  The step has set a benchmark in establishing the fact that the Central regime is all set to ensure that the Panchayati Raj System is installed with strong base in J&K.  With all this happening under the coordinated efforts of BJP led government at the centre it has now become clear that strengthening of rural hamlets of J&K is an achievable target now and availing benefits of government sponsored schemes optimally and with due precision is not a distant dream. Development aspirations of people are likely to be fulfilled as the good governance model set up by BJP led governments is equipped with all the ingredients required for development and public welfare. If empowering the grassroots institutions is the gauge for measuring the progress and prosperity of people in J&K UT, surely days are not far when J&K will become one of the best developed regions in the country.