UDHAMPUR: Vice Chairperson District Development Council Udhampur Juhi Pathania today called for formulation of a holistic and inclusive Area Development Plan to achieve participatory governance and grassroots level development.

While having detailed discussions with ADDC (CEO, DDC) Rajinder Singh, the Vice Chairperson Pathania underscored the importance of aligning gram sabha proceedings with the legal framework laid out in the Panchayati Raj Act and relevant rules and procedures.

Emphasizing the foundational role of community involvement, she stated that people must be adequately informed and mobilized ahead of gram sabhas through traditional methods such as drum-beating, public announcements, and visible notices at key locations like panchayat ghars, chowks, and chaurahas. "Development plans must resonate with the genuine aspirations of the people," she remarked.

She reiterated that true Panchayati Raj entails not just planning but active participation of citizens in the execution of development schemes. The meeting witnessed participation from several stakeholders, including former Sarpanch Arti Sharma and prominent members of civil society.

Highlighting the transformative potential of the Jal Jeevan Mission, Vice Chairperson Pathania laid strong emphasis on transforming the Jal Jeevan Mission into a vibrant, people-centric movement."Water is not just a resource, it is a right. The Jal Jeevan Mission must not be seen as just a government scheme but as a collective movement of the people," asserted Juhi. She advised the identification of affordable and practical targets and stressed the urgency of initiating long-pending tendered works under the scheme.

She advocated for widespread community engagement, urging local bodies to identify practical, affordable targets and reliable sources of water supply tailored to each region's specific needs.