It has been stated earlier that Jammu & Kashmir has been a top priority for Modi Government since 2014. Decentralization and devolution of power has taken place in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir after revocation of Article370. Appreciably the Panchayat elections saw over 51% of voting. Panchayats have been given administrative and financial powers for focal development. The successful holding of J&K DDC-2020 polls is one of the biggest achievements by Union Government in Post Abrogation period. The enthusiastic and massive participation of the people in these elections was visible and is an indicator towards the pleasant feelings for the better and brighter future. An aspiration for peace, progress and justice was visible on the glowing faces of the common people fed up with violence and injustices meted out to them by the previous successive governments in Jammu & Kashmir State. The people are visibly convinced of Modi ji’s SABKA SATH, SABKA VIKAS and SABKA VISHWAS- a pragmatic policy to deliver justice, peace and development.
It is a matter of great satisfaction, pride and honor for the people of Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory that the process of elections for the posts of Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons in District Development Councils is nearing completion. It is worth mentioning here that elections to the three DDCs were scheduled to be held on February 13 but were deferred for want of quorum. Visibly, third Tier of Panchayati Raj System has been established in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory.
Gram Sabha is considered as the life line of the soul of the Panchayati Raj Institutes. It is a statutory body and an integral part of the Panchayati Raj System. It serves as a watch dog of working of the Gram Panchayat and facilitates people’s participation in the decision-making process. A Gram Sabha should meet compulsorily for as many times in a year as provided in the Panchayati Raj Act of the respective states. A meeting of the Gram Sabha will be presided over by the Chair-person (Pradhan /Sarpanch) or in his absence Vice-chairperson of the Gram Panchayat. It needs to reflect the voice of the local population in identifying the local needs, prioritizing the needs, identifying beneficiaries, planning locale-specific programs for the community.
The Gram Sabha is required to consider the following matters and make recommendations and suggestions to the Gram Panchayats:
i) The annual statement of accounts of the Gram Panchayat, the report of administration of the preceding financial year and the last audit report; ii) the report in respect of development programs of the Gram Panchayat relating to the preceding year and the development programs proposed to be undertaken during the current financial year; iii) the programs of adult education and family welfare; and iv) proposal of new taxation or enhancement of existing taxes.
The Gram Sabha is to perform the following functions;
i) Identification of beneficiaries for poverty alleviation programs. ii) mobilization of public contribution in cash/kind or labor for implementation of community welfare schemes. iii) Promotion of social harmony among all sections of the people in the village; and iv) rendering assistance in the implementation of development schemes in its area.