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| Centre for transferring of Panchayat funds into accounts of Panchayat members for transparency | | | Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 11: In a significant decision to empower the grassroots, the Centre has decided to transfer Panchayat funds directly into the accounts of Panchayat members in Jammu and Kashmir.
A source said that Centre has received complaints about the embezzlement of Panchayat funds in the past.
"To ensure transparency into utilization of funds the Centre wants to empower Panchayat members and transfer funds directly into their accounts," the source said.
The source said that Narendra Modi led government does want undue interfere of officials into the working of Panchayats.
"They want to have complete transparency in the Panchayat system," the source said.
"The government does not want misuse of funds which are meant for development of rural areas," the source said.
Director Rural Development Department Kashmir has also directed official to ensure transparency in Panchayats.
"It is mandatory to ensure that the funds in the account of the Halqa Panchayat are properly used and that the funds balance available in these Halqa Panchayat account prior to the notification of constituted Panchayats or appointment of administers are in order and every transaction in the said Halqa Panchayat account accounts is as per the financial rules," an order issued by Director Rural Development Department reads.
"The district Panchayat officers are enjoined upon that till the formal audit of the accounts is conducted through accounts they will get the details of bank statements of all the Panchayat accounts from the concerned banks from the date of previously audited accounts and check the entries of the transactions," the order reads.
An official of Rural Development Development Department said officers have been directed to ensure that the transactions be made after proper sanction. They have been directed to bring into the notice of Director Rural Development Department if there is any discrepancy of funds utilization.
The Centre, as part of its initiative to empower around 40,000 elected representatives in JK, had enhanced the the financial powers of the panchayats from Rs 10,000 Rs one lakh. It had also enhanced the financial powers of block councils from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh.
Panchayats, in addition to being involved in the selection of eligible beneficiaries for various government welfare schemes, will get Rs 50 lakh-80 lakh per year for implementation of key national schemes such as the National Health Mission, Samagra Shiksha, etc. |
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