Gram Panchayats

After the establishment of the Panchayat at the ground level J&K administration is trying to make them empowered in various ways. In order to have their own financial resources, at the village level the government is allowing them to raise trees or green assets on vacant state land.

Recently the government said that Gram Panchayats are earning substantially by raising Green assets on vacant state land in Jammu and Kashmir.

Free supply of fodder, fuel wood, timber on equitable basis being provided to people through these assets by these Panchayats.

The active engagement of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in planning and execution of developmental works and efficient delivery of Public Services is essential to achieve the essence of grass root level democracy and decentralized governance in J&K.

The Government of UT of J&K after successfully establishing a three tier Panchayati Raj System has taken many decisions to empower PRIs by devolving powers, responsibilities, functions and funds to them. Various essential services having bearing on ‘ease of living’ of common citizens are now being administered through PRIs. Gram Panchayats (GPs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) are getting fully involved and playing a meaningful role in collaboration with functionaries of the Government Departments.

One such important mandate which GPs have been carrying forward is raising plantations to establish Green assets by utilizing the vacant Village Common Lands/State lands in their respective Gram Panchayats in collaboration with the Social Forestry Wing under Department of Forests, Environment and Ecology of J&K.