Omar calls for strengthening of rural self-governance institutions

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Monday offered condolence over the deaths of village councilmen in the state, and called for the need to strengthen rural self-governance institutions. Addressing the state legislative assembly in Srinagar, Abdullah also expressed his solidarity with the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief, Mehbooba Mufti, said that her party had submitted a Bill providing for greater authority to village councils in the assembly.