Chairman of the National Minorities Commission Wajahat Habibullah has urged for strengthening civil administrative network in the rural areas at the panchayat level. Speaking at the Rajendra Prasad memorial lecture in New Delhi today Habibullah stresseed on increasing the efficiency of delivery of public services in the villages. He also urged for providing adequate manpower in the rural areas so that the benefits of democracy reach the people at the grass roots level.

Habibullah also called on public servants to work hand in hand with the panchayats to strengthen governance and check opportunities for corruption.

Recalling the noble contribution of India's first President Rajendra Prasad towards nation building and governance, he said the country's democractic set up is strong enough to provide transparent and accountable administration. He also said the Right to information Act is an important public tool that has empowered the people of the country. Mr Habibullah asked public servants to follow in the footsteps of able administrators like Rajendra Prasad to meet the national challenges including corruption.

AIR correspondent reports Prasar Bharti CEO Jawahar Sircar, Director General of All India Radio, L D Mandloi, Director General (News) G. Mohanty and Director General of Doordarshan Tripurari Sharan were among those present on the occasion.