Pind Bachao, Punjab Bachao aims to strengthen gram sabhas, panchayati raj institutions

To promote people-centered, people-controlled and people-managed development, Pind Bachao, Punjab Bachao organisation is touring different villages of this region. The organisation is sensitising people about strengthening gram sabhas and panchayati raj institutions for the development of rural community.

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Former Jathedar of Takht Damdama Sahib Giani Kewal Singh, who is leading this organisation, said the bottom-up people-centered development approaches should replace the traditional top-down development models.

He condemned the practice of using photos of politicians in panchayat elections and called upon the people to boycott the candidates who do so. He appealed to elect panchayats unanimously and said people who distribute drugs or money should not be voted for. He said the sarpanch should belong to the village and not any party. If the sarpanch belongs to the village, he will work for the village only and if the he belongs to a party, he will work only for the party.

Under panchayati raj institutions, there should be a major shift in the development paradigm with people’s participation. In participatory development, emphasis is primarily laid on people’s involvement in decision making, development planning and process. It contends that participation of local people in development activities ensures sustainability and efficacy of development projects, he said.

We need to promote people-centered, people-controlled and people-managed development. Addressing villagers in Rodikapura, Pind Bachaol, Punjab Bachao members said every voter of the village is a permanent member of the gram sabha and it is never dissolved. The speakers gave a message to elect panchayats above factionalism in the upcoming panchayat elections and also appealed to implement reservation of women and Dalits in a proper manner.