Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after completing his visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh, is presently on a visit to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, as a part of the Parliamentary Outreach Programme, which is aimed to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir. He is scheduled to inaugurate the Parliamentary Outreach Programme in Srinagar tomorrow for strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions.<br />''<br />''The Speaker met the representatives of District Development Council, Block Development Council and Sarpanchs of Panchayati Raj Institutions of Anantnag District and other nearby areas at Pahalgam in south Kashmir. He congratulated the newly elected local representatives and said that the Union Territory is on the path of peace and prosperity and that Panchayati Raj Institutions have been strengthened and appealed for their greater involvement in making the democratic institutions more transparent and accountable.<br />''Earlier, on his arrival at Srinagar, the Speaker Om Birla said that the recent Parliament's engagement with grass-root level democratic Institutions has taken a huge leap. He added that 14 Parliamentary Committees with more than 300 MPs have visited the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir which reflects the commitment of the Parliament towards Democracy and Development at the grass-root level in Jammu and Kashmir.<br />''<br />''Mr. Birla also said that the Members have met the common people and listened to their problems, which has created a positive atmosphere in the Union Territory.<br />''<br />''Speaking about the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, he said that in the glorious journey of the 75 years of independence, Indian democracy has gone from strength to strength and the successive goverments have contributed to strengthen democracy in India.Mr Birla informed that the Outreach initiative of the Parliament is a step towards capacity building and improving accountability and transparency of the Panchayati Raj Institutions.<br />''<br />''Lauding the development initiatives in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Birla said that the comprehensive action plan of development will help the Union Territory prosper and the fruits of development will reach the last man standing in the row. AIR correspondent reports that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla after reaching Srinagar took to twitter and said that he was quite delightful to visit Kashmir, which is undoubtedly a heaven upon earth. He expressed gratitude to Lietenant Governor Manoj Sinha for his warm hospitality. He also praised the scenic beauty of Kashmir by referring to the famous persian couplet of Mughal Emperor Jahangir,<br />''"Ghar Firdous Bar Roye Zameen Ast,<br />''Hameen Asto, Hameen Asto, Hameen Ast," which means that, "if there is Heaven upon earth, it is here, it is here, it is here."<br />''It is worthwhile to mention, that the Parliamentary Outreach Programme for empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is a unique initiative of Mr. Om Birla.<br />''<span style="color: #000000;">A first of its kind, it is intended to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions of governance and planning,  at the grass root level.  Earlier, Mr. Birla inaugurated the Parliamentary Outreach Programme in Ladakh on 27th of this month.</span><br />