DW BUREAU / Chandigarh Haryana Deputy Chief Minister, Dushyant Chautala informed that the State Government has taken several steps towards empowering the Panchayati Raj Institutions like Gram Panchayat, Block Samiti and Zila Parishad. He added that the Government has decided to build 'Modern Panchayat Bhawans' at every district headquarters of the State. For the first time, offices will be made available to the councilors of the Zila Parishad in these buildings. The Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Development and Panchayats Department, today presided over a meeting of the officers of the Public Works (Building and Roads) Department and organized 'Modern Panchayat' at the district headquarters for Panchayati Raj Institutions. He discussed the proposal and reviewed the map for the construction of 'Bhawan' and gave necessary guidelines. On this occasion, Additional Chief Secretary, Public Works (Building and Roads) Department, Alok Nigam, Engineer-in-Chief (Building) GD Goyal, Chief Engineer, Nihal Singh and Rajeev Aggarwal were also present. Dushyant Chautala informed that 'Modern Panchayat Bhawan' would be built at each district headquarters of the State, in which separate rooms would be made for the Chairman of the Zila Parishad as well as the Councilors. He said that in these 'Modern Panchayat Bhawans', the office of the concerned department, meeting-hall, exhibition-hall, two shops for sale of products prepared by self-help groups and gym-cum-yoga hall would be constructed. The Deputy Chief Minister said that the State Government believes in decentralization of powers, so many powers are being given to Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies. He said that these institutions have been given powers to oversee various works like cleanliness, water conservation, and reduction in crop residue burning. They have also been given powers to open or not to open liquor contracts in the village. He also informed that in order to strengthen the financial position of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, it has been decided to provide two percent revenue of stamp duty levied on registration of property. (editor@dailyworld.in)