<span style="color: black;">In the last leg of his weeklong visit to the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met with the representatives of District Development Councils (DDCs), Block Development Councils (BDCs) and Panchayats at Gulmarg on Wednesday.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: black;">During his interaction with Panchayat Raj representatives Om Birla, emphasized on the role of democratic institutions at the grass-root level in making the executive accountable. He said that the DDCs, BDCs and Panchayats should meet regularly, address the issues of the public and ensure accountability of government. He maintained that these institutions should also devise their rules and procedures. He added that local representatives should have a say in legislative process as they are the link between the people and administration and are, in a better position to reflect people's hopes and aspirations.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: black;">Shri Om Birla said that adequate training of local representatives about legislative process and Rules and Procedures would strengthen these institutions to channelize the fruits of development to the last person.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: black;">The Speaker said that capacity building measures would be taken by the Lok Sabha Secretariat for training of Panchayat representatives. He also invited local representatives from Jammu & Kashmir to visit Parliament so that they may have a first hand experience of the legislative process.</span><br />''  <br />