N Delhi: PM Nariendar Modi congratulated the local representatives of the Jammu and Kashmir for the courage displayed by them in the recent elections despite threats and intimidation.
He said it in a meeting with 48 newly elected Sarpanches who called on him in N Delhi on Wednesday.
PM said the high voter turnout in the polls clearly displays immense faith that people of J&K have put in grass root democratic institutions .
74 percent voter turnout was witnessed in the Panchayat elections.
PM said essence of democracy lies in empowerment of the common citizen and assured the delegation that he and his Government are committed to the empowerment of the people.
He assured them of the Government of India’s full support for making the Panchayati Raj model a success
The J&K Panchayat Act was passed in 1989, but only three of the allotted 25 functions under the Act were actually provided budgetary support.
The Government has now amended the J&K Panchayati Raj Act of 1989 and transferred Rs 2,000 Crore per annum to the Panchayats.
Another Rs 1,200 Crore has been made available to the Urban Local Bodies.
The Panchayats will directly monitor activities pertaining to 19 departments/subjects and carry out audits of government schemes and projects.
Elections to 1,100 Urban Local Body wards were held after a gap of 13 years; and 35,000 Panchayats after seven years in Nov-Dec 2018.
The Sarpanches will be provided a monthly honorarium of Rs 2,500 and Rs 1,000 per month will be disbursed to each Panch.
