No development sans empowerment of PRIs: Khandu

Itanagar, Sep 26 (UNI) The efforts for development in Arunachal Pradesh would be a distant dream unless grassroots democracy is strengthened by empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu said here today.

Inaugurating the three-day training-cum-workshop for elected women panchayat representatives under Panchayat Mahila Shakti Abhiyaan (PMSA), the Chief Minister said the PRIs were the backbone for all-round development of the state.

Exhorting the women panchayat leaders to acquire adequate knowledge from the training to mould them as perfect leaders, Mr Khandu said women representatives should take the responsibility to transform the society and check various evils.

''Knowledge should be disseminated to the grassroots for bringing maximum benefits to people living in interior areas of the state,'' the Chief Minister stressed and suggested the PR leaders to spread awareness among the people on education, health, sanitation, family planning and other related subjects.

He said the state government had already approved activity mapping on 29 subjects being completed for devolution of power to the PRIs.

''The panchayat leaders should shoulder the responsibility for monitoring the judicious distribution of essential commodities under public distribution system (PDS) and report to the government in case of anomalies,'' he advocated, adding that they should also participate in all development work initiated by the government in their respective areas.

While laying emphasis on teachers' role in development of the society, Mr Khandu urged the PR leaders to give due respect to them and also monitor the activities of doctors and other medical staff and report accordingly on negligence of duty.

The Chief Minister also handed over Rs 1,15,20,000 to the Zilla Parishad chairpersons of 16 districts, which was sanctioned by the 12th Finance Commission as the first instalment of the total amount of Rs 6.8 crore.

Speaking on the occasion Panchayati Raj Minister Tako Dabi stressed on the need for ensuring proper planning of villages, which would help develop the state.

''Women have full liberty to utilise the power enshrined in the panchayati raj constitution, but at the same time they should ensure that they do not shirk from their responsibilities,'' he pointed out.

The three-day workshop is being sponsored by the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj and jointly organised by PMSA state core committee, department of panchayati raj and Sate Institute of Rural Development (SIRD).

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