Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that Panchayats would be effective tools of curbing corruption and bringing transparency in the implementations of works and spending of funds. He said that formulation and implementations of schemes and monitoring of expenditures at Panchayat level by the elected representatives would not only improve the governance but help restrict malpractices and misappropriation to a great extent. Addressing half a dozen public meetings in Nagrota constituency in Jammu District today, Omar said that the comprehensive development programme launched by his government during the last two years for holistic progress in all the areas would get necessary fillip by the Panchayati Raj. He laid stress on the participation of women candidates in the ensuing Panchayat Elections and asked them to take the advantage of 33 % reservation fixed for women in Panchayat elections in the State.