Shadow Correspondent
Srinagar, OCT 02:
The Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (RD&PR) today organised Special Gram Sabhas across all 4,291 Panchayats of the Union Territory to mark Gandhi Jayanti and observe Reform Utsav 2026.
The Special Gram Sabhas witnessed enthusiastic participation from Deputy Commissioners, senior civil and departmental officers, Panchayat representatives, officials of line departments, field functionaries, women, youth and local residents. The initiative brought the administration and communities together to discuss local development priorities and strengthen transparent, inclusive and participatory governance at the grassroots level.
Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kanwal Chib, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Commissioners of Kulgam and Ramban, and Additional Deputy Commissioner Ramban participated in the proceedings in their respective districts and interacted with local communities.
Director, Rural Development, Kashmir, Riyaz Ahmad Wani, participated in the Special Gram Sabha held at Panchayat Choon in Budgam. Addressing the gathering, he said that the Gram Sabha is the most important platform for citizens to participate directly in local governance and influence the development of their villages.
He said that Panchayat Development Plans must emerge from genuine consultation with the people and reflect the actual needs of every section of society, particularly women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other vulnerable groups.
“Development planning cannot be confined to offices. It must begin in the Gram Sabha, where citizens identify their needs, discuss priorities and collectively decide the future course of their Panchayat. Every voice must be heard, and no section of society should remain excluded from the planning and development process,” Wani said.
He underlined that Special Gram Sabhas should not be treated merely as formal meetings but as effective forums for social accountability, public participation and responsive governance. Through the spirit of “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas,” the Special Gram Sabhas reinforced the importance of people-led planning, transparency, accountability and collective ownership of rural development.
The Department reiterated that informed and participative Gram Sabhas are essential for building Sashakt Panchayats, Atmanirbhar Panchayats and Viksit Panchayats, contributing to the larger national endeavour of achieving Viksit Bharat.
The Gram Sabhas also deliberated on the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the role of Panchayats, families, schools, youth groups and community institutions in preventing substance abuse. Citizens were sensitised about the social, economic and health consequences of drug addiction and the need for early intervention, counselling, rehabilitation and sustained community vigilance.
As Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 culminated on Gandhi Jayanti, sanitation and responsible waste management also formed an important part of the Gram Sabha agenda. The provisions and community-level implications of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 were discussed to promote segregation of waste at source, scientific disposal, cleanliness of public spaces and sustainable operation and maintenance of sanitation assets.
The Gram Sabhas also discussed the implementation of government schemes, delivery of essential public services, livelihood opportunities, drinking water, sanitation, roads, education, healthcare, social welfare, environmental conservation and other locally relevant development issues. Residents were provided an opportunity to raise grievances, place their demands before officials and suggest works and interventions for inclusion in their respective Panchayat Development Plans.
The participation of line departments enabled communities to receive information about various welfare schemes, eligibility conditions and available services. It also facilitated convergence among departments so that local needs could be addressed through coordinated planning and effective utilisation of resources.
The Department called upon citizens to participate actively in the preparation of Panchayat Development Plans that genuinely reflect local needs, challenges and aspirations.
Additional Secretary, RD&PR, Wasim Raja visited visited Pyt Drudhu, Block Bhaderwah and interacted with residents, Panchayat functionaries and representatives of line departments.
In Ganderbal, Joint Director, Rural Development Department, Mantasha Rashid, visited a Panchayat and interacted with members of the local community.
Senior officers, RD&PR teams and officials of various line departments visited Panchayats across the Union Territory to facilitate the proceedings, review community participation and ensure that the concerns and aspirations of citizens were properly recorded.
