Utilise unspent grants: Himachal minister to PRI representatives

UNA, JULY 31

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Virender Kanwar today presided over a ‘Panch Parmeshwar’ meeting at the Lata Mangeshkar Auditorium in Samoor Kalan village here. All five panchayat-level public representatives from Zila Parishad members to ward members of panchayats in the district were invited.

The minister called upon members of the panchayati raj institutions (PRIs) to speed up developmental works in their areas and utilise the unspent grants released by the 15th Finance Commission at the earliest since delays lead to escalation of estimates. He said large-scale infrastructure development had been done at the grassroots level during the last four-and-a half years.

Kanwar said under the ‘Ek Varsh Paanch Kaam’ campaign, Rs 250 crore had been spent through panchayats during the last one year. He called upon the PRI representatives to exercise their legal powers judiciously.

Kanwar said as part of the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate the completion of 75 years of Independence, a special campaign to unfurl the Tricolour at each house would be launched from August 13 to 15. Besides, ‘Prabhat Feris’ would be organised on patriotic themes.

BJP in-charge for Una district Vinod Thakur said the ‘Panch Parmeshwars’ were directly linked with people and their role in ensuring a repeat for the BJP in the coming Assembly elections was vital.