Less than a month after successful completion of panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the government-appointed committee on devolution of powers to the three-tier panchayati raj system has submitted its report to the state government.

The committee, headed by chief secretary Madhav Lal, handed over the report to chief minister Omar Abdullah here yesterday, an official spokesman said.

The report contains recommendations on devolution of functions and quantum of funds to the panchayati raj institutions, issues related with personnel and human resources, changes in the composition of district development board, powers and functions of chairmen and vice chairmen of district planning and development boards, strengthening the rural development department and amendments required in the J&K panchayati raj act of 1989, the spokesman said.

He said the report also covers delegation of functions and allotment of funds to the three-tier panchayati raj institutions in respect of 14 departments including, agriculture, education, health, consumer affairs and public distribution system, animal and sheep husbandry, horticulture, revenue, social welfare, fisheries, forest and industries and commerce.

The report of the committee is the first step towards empowerment of the panchayats in the state which have been established after a gap of more than a decade.

The report will have to get the nod of the state cabinet before the recommendations are implemented.

Meanwhile, more than 300 panchs and sarpanchs, including 88 women, from Budgam district of the state were administered oath by assistant commissioner development, Budgam in the first phase here yesterday, the spokesman said.