Uttarakhand would send its Panchayat representatives to train newly elected chairpersons of block development Committees (BDC) of Jammu and Kashmir in a two day workshop to be held at Jammu on December 17 and 18.

 Incidentally, the elections of chairpersons of BDC were organised successful in Jammu and Kashmir in month of October this year. What made these elections important was the fact that it was first electoral exercise there after abrogation of article 370.

 In a recent letter written to additional secretary and director of Panchayati Raj, H C Semwal, the under secretary in the department of Rural development and Panchayati Raj of Jammu and Kashmir had requested Uttarakhand to send some experienced Panchayat representatives to share their experiences with the newly elected BDC chairpersons of Jammu and Kashmir.

Semwal told The Pioneer that the department has decided to send Block Pramukh of Bhimtal (Nainital), Harish Bisht, a three time Village Pradhan from Purohitwala in Sahaspur, Dehradun, Meenu Chaitry and former Pradhan of Kusoli village, Pithoragarh, Raghubir Singh for the workshop.  He said that all three members are highly experienced representatives and have in depth knowledge of the procedures.

Semwal added that one official, the state coordinator MNREGA, Mohammad Aslam would also be sent with these representatives. He said that the Jammu and Kashmir government has also requested Uttarakhand to organise exposure visits in the state for its Sarpanchs ( Pradhans) and BDC chairpersons.

In these visits, three to four groups of about 30-40 Panchayat representatives of Jammu and Kashmir would visit Uttarakhand. Semwal said that the Panchayati Raj department has asked its counterpart department of Jammu and Kashmir to inform about the time and duration of these visits of Panchayat representatives so that required arrangements for them can be made.