ITANAGAR, Apr 24: Commemorating the passage of 73rd constitution amendment Act 1992, the National Panchayat Day was celebrated with much enthusiasm with participation of Panchayat members, Government officials and public representatives here at Itanagar today.
Addressing the large gathering of PRIs form Papum pare and nearby districts, Chief Guest, Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Alo Libang called for strengthening the PR system in the state and urged upon all the PRIs to shoulder the same responsibility.
Sharing his experience as Panchayat leader and the steps he had taken for ensuring stronger PR in the state, libang said that needful consultations will be carried out on different issues for further development of grassroots level workers in the state.
While delivering on planning process, Libang stressed on need of Gram Panchayats based plans, duly considered and approved by the Gram Sabhas and urged the PRIs to take advantage of training opportunities offered for learning about their roles and responsibilities for effective and transparent functioning.
Libang also stressed on the need for celebrating National Panchayat Day each year and directed the department officials for including celebration of this day in annual action plan so that advance preparations are done.
He also felt the need of recognizing the best performing panchayats in the state and assured to take up the matter for instituting state level awards in the line of National Panchayat awards.
Further assuring his full support for strong and vibrant PR system in the state, Libang also cautioned the government officials who are not performing their duties sincerely and decided to hold regular performance reviews to check their service.
The celebration concluded with giving away of District awards to best performing Panchayats of Anchal Samiti and Gram Panchayats of Papum Pare district.
Secretary, Panchayati Raj, Dani Salu, ZPC, PapumPare, Nabam Aka among others also spoke on the occasion.
The National Panchayati Raj Day was zealously observed here today under the close supervision of ADC Pangin-cum-DPDO Tamik Talom with ZPC, Siang, Opung Jerang as the chairman of the programme which witnessed active participation of PRI members from all 3 tiers, PTAs, CCAAs and CAs.
The Chairman in her address urged for close co-ordination and cooperation among the PRI members in order to achieve development at the grassroots level in the true sense. She stated that these attributes were all the more required in the face of existing practical difficulties especially the lack of trained manpower and lack of training. She also stressed on the need for active involvement and participation of women in various flagship programmes of the government.
The DPDO fervently called on the members present to render all possible help and assistance in eradicating the practice of women ZPMs, ASMs, GPMs etc acting as a proxy for their husbands and acting under their undue influence. He asserted that a woman elected on reserve quota should represent her post and not her husband.
The day long programme saw active participation of all stakeholders. Deputy Commissioner Remo Kamki, DPDO A. Pertin, ZPM Bading Teng, S.W. Bayang from SIRDA, Itanagar, HoDs and Panchayat members from various GP segments took part in it.
Role of Panchayat leaders, their power and functions and their involvement in the Developmental process were discussed in the programme.