Srinagar, Oct 2 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department on Friday organised Special Gram Sabhas across all 4,291 Panchayats of the Union Territory to mark Gandhi Jayanti and observe Reform Utsav 2026, officials said.

The Gram Sabhas focused on participatory development planning, inclusion of women and vulnerable sections, child protection, drug-free communities, sanitation and strengthening grassroots governance.

Deputy Commissioners, senior civil and departmental officers, Panchayat representatives, officials of line departments, field functionaries, women, youth and local residents participated in the proceedings across the Union Territory.

Officials said the exercise was aimed at bringing the administration and communities together to identify local development priorities and strengthen transparent, inclusive and participatory governance.

Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Indu Kanwal Chib, DC Kathua Rajesh Sharma, Deputy Commissioners of Kulgam and Ramban and Additional Deputy Commissioner Ramban participated in Gram Sabhas in their respective districts and interacted with local communities.

Director Rural Development, Kashmir, Riyaz Ahmad Wani, while participating in a Special Gram Sabha at Panchayat Choon in Budgam, said the Gram Sabha was the most important platform for citizens to participate directly in local governance and shape development priorities.

He said Panchayat Development Plans should emerge from consultations with people and reflect the needs of all sections, particularly women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other vulnerable groups.

“Development planning cannot be confined to offices. It must begin in the Gram Sabha, where citizens identify their needs, discuss priorities and collectively decide the future course of their Panchayat,” Wani said.

He said Special Gram Sabhas should serve as forums for social accountability, public participation and responsive governance rather than being treated merely as formal meetings.

Officials said the initiative, under the spirit of “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas”, sought to strengthen people-led planning, transparency, accountability and community ownership of rural development.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The Gram Sabhas also deliberated on the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the role of Panchayats, families, schools, youth groups and community institutions in preventing substance abuse.

Residents were sensitised about the social, economic and health consequences of drug addiction and the importance of early intervention, counselling, rehabilitation and community vigilance.

With Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 culminating on Gandhi Jayanti, sanitation and waste management also figured prominently in the discussions. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 were discussed with emphasis on segregation of waste at source, scientific disposal, cleanliness of public spaces and sustainable maintenance of sanitation assets.

The meetings also reviewed implementation of government schemes and issues relating to drinking water, roads, education, healthcare, livelihoods, sanitation, social welfare and environmental conservation.

Residents were given an opportunity to raise grievances, place demands before officials and suggest works for inclusion in their respective Panchayat Development Plans.

Participation of line departments also enabled residents to obtain information about welfare schemes, eligibility criteria and public services while facilitating convergence among departments for coordinated planning, officials said.

Additional Secretary, RD&PR, Wasim Raja visited Panchayat Drudhu in Bhaderwah and interacted with residents, Panchayat functionaries and representatives of line departments.

In Ganderbal, Joint Director Rural Development Mantasha Rashid also visited a Panchayat and interacted with members of the local community.

Senior RD&PR officers and officials of line departments visited Panchayats across Jammu and Kashmir to facilitate the proceedings and ensure that people's concerns and development priorities were recorded, officials said.

The department urged people to actively participate in preparation of Panchayat Development Plans so that they reflect local needs and aspirations. (KNS)