SRINAGAR: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Javed Ahmad Dar on Thursday said that the Rural Development Department (RDD) ensures full consultation with elected representatives, including legislators and other stakeholders, at all stages of formulating and finalising developmental plans.
Replying to a question by Legislator GA Mir in the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the Minister said that during the current financial year, Rs 20 lakh under CD and Panchayat funds has been earmarked for each MLA. Budgetary announcements based on feedback from legislators are being incorporated depending on resource availability, he added.
Dar informed that Rs 3,403.59 lakh, as projected by MLAs, has been included in the current year’s Capex Budget (CD and Panchayat). He emphasised that the proposals and recommendations of public representatives are duly considered when framing development plans.
He further stated that works under CD and Panchayat, UT Capex, and Budget are executed in consultation with the respective public representatives, with standing instructions issued to ensure continuous coordination during the planning and implementation stages.
Highlighting the participatory approach of the government, Dar said that elected representatives—including members of District Development Councils (DDCs) and Block Development Councils (BDCs)—play a crucial role in planning, approving, and monitoring district-level development activities.
He noted that the establishment of DDCs, which replaced the earlier planning boards, has formally integrated elected members into the process of preparing and approving district plans and capital expenditure, ensuring greater accountability and decentralised governance. -(KL)
