Describing Panchayats the basic units of development, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has re-affirmed his Government’s commitment to make these grass root institutions powerful enough to deliver effectively and democratically. Addressing Panches and Sarpanches at Vijaypur in Samba Assembly Constituencies in Jammu division today, the Chief Minister said that his constant interactions with the elected public representatives at Assembly Constituency level is to get first hand experience of the views of Panches and Sarpanches regarding establishment of powerful Panchayat system in the State.Omar Abdullah said the decision of holding Panchayat elections in the State after 33 years was a historic one adding it has paved the way to empower public representatives and make development holistic and equitable. He said Panchayats have not only to be involved in the rural development works but in monitoring the functioning of health, education, CAPD, Public Health Engineering and other public service delivery departments. The Chief Minister said that a Committee headed by Chief Secretary is finalizing the report regarding transfer of powers to the Panchayats.