A CORRESPONDENT
ITANAGAR: Panchayati Raj Minister Bamang Felix on Tuesday chaired a state-level review-cum-coordination meeting with all 25 Zilla Parishad Chairpersons (ZPCs) wherein matters pertaining to panchayat activities in the state were thoroughly reviewed and discussed.
Revamped National Panchayat Award, modalities for disbursement, utilization and Standard Operating Procedure for 10 per cent of state-owned Resources which have been allocated to the panchayats, GPDP, ZPDP, e-Gram Swaraj Portal, etc., were among the matters which were reviewed and discussed. The meeting was organized by the Department of Panchayati Raj, Government of Arunachal Pradesh and was held at the DK Convention Centre here.
Panchayati Raj Minister Felix in his remark urged all panchayat leaders to work in a team-Arunachal spirit while also maintaining a healthy competitive attitude among themselves towards becoming best performing panchayats. Minister Felix further called for ensuring that the benefits of the PM and CM Flagship programmes reache every eligible beneficiary. Adding that the aspirations of rural masses can be achieved just by proper and complete implementation of various flagship programmes, the minister asked all ZPCs to strive to make rural-Arunachal self-sufficient in every aspect.
"Empowering rural masses does not mean flooding them with funds. They have to be empowered through dissemination of proper information and knowledge through which they can become self-reliant," said Felix.
He emphasized engaging SHGs in this regard, and also ensuring activities which benefits rural-womenfolk and activities in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) be undertaken in every panchayat. In regard to the allocation of 10 per cent of the State Own Resources - amounting to Rs 123 crore - to the Panchayats, minister Felix informed that the funds are with the Department of Panchayati Raj, and the same will be disbursed once the Standard Operating Procedure is finalized by the Finance Department.
Meanwhile, advising authorities concerned to hold review meetings fortnightly so that current and actual status of works undertaken can be monitored, the minister directed the Panchayati Raj officers to guide and support panchayat leaders where and whenever required. During the interaction session with the ZPCs wherein various challenges and shortcomings were highlighted, the minister on his part assured to extend all possible support and assistance to the panchayat leaders.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Director, Joint Director, Deputy Director, Finance & Accounts Officer and other officials of the Department of Panchayati Raj.
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