Panchayats will be empowered soon: Omar

Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah declared on Friday that the newly elected panchayats will be empowered soon.

The assurance followed media reports that the central government had advised him to transfer powers to panchayats or otherwise there would be a public backlash.

The Chief Minister was interacting with elected panchayat leaders in Vijaypur, about 30 km southwest of Jammu.

He said a committee headed by the chief secretary was finalizing a report on transfer of powers to the panchayats.

"We want powerful panchayats to deliver as per public aspirations," he said, adding that funds were expected from the central government to develop and upgrade basic amenities in their areas.

IANS