Srinagar, Feb 17 (KNS): Director Rural Development Department, Tariq Ahmad Zargar on Thursday said that three-tier panchayati raj system has a major role in the developmental works of rural areas in Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking exclusively to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Zargar said that it is obvious that any institution which has come into existence for the first time takes some time to evolve in a particular way. 

“However, the members of three-tier panchayati raj system are working in an efficient manner for the betterment of common people and definitely in near future this system will emerge as most credible system for solving  issues at the grassroots level,” he said. 

He said that the members are fully involved in the rural developmental works via planning, identification of works and implementation. 

“The panchayat members call upon a gram sabha in villages for approval of works under MGNREGA scheme and housing scheme. The authorization in MGNREGA also gets valid by the signatures of sarpanchs. The payment works are also done through panchayats. Over, a period of time all the complaints regarding the system will gets resolved,” he said. 

Zargar also said that the 14th finance commission has been closed now, however, the ministry has given a time period til 31st march to complete all the works under 14 FC scheme. 

“More than 40000 works have been taken under 14 FC in which 80-85% works have been completed and there is no discrepancy with billings and payments.”

Replying to a question, he said that the issue of snow clearance works in rural areas to be carried out under MGNREGA is under examination and the decision is still pending.

About enhancement in salary of MGNREGA workers, Zargar said that a proposal was sent by the department for increasing the salary of these employees following which a committee was constituted. 

“The report by the committee has been sent to the higher authorities and we hope that the recommendations of the committee will be considered.”

He also said that capex budget for 1400 works has been taken up this year in which more than 500 projects are to completed.

“A budget of Rs 40 crore will be utilized for these works in which those critical works are taken up and those which are not covered under MGNREGA scheme,” he said. (KNS)