Jammu KashmirPosted at: Jan 13, 2018, 12:09 AM; last updated: Jan 13, 2018, 12:09 AM (IST)Gear up for poll, Sham Lal tells party workers Also in this sectionGovt strictures no deterrent to studentsTuition centres ask govt to come clean on ban2 accused cops move HC to quash Crime Branch probeCall for lifting of AFSPA grows louder2017 was bloodiest in past decadeJammu, January 12 Describing the grass-roots level democratic institutions pivotal for the transformation of rural areas in terms of development, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee senior vice-president Sham Lal Sharma exhorted the cadre to gear up for the upcoming panchayat elections. “Massive participation by the youth and women is imperative for ensuring their effective involvement in decision-making at the local level,” he said while addressing a Congress delegates’ meeting at Akhnoor. Sharma exuded confidence that the sagacious voters would elect dedicated and public-spirited representatives, who would change the rural scenario by their innovative ideas. The development of rural areas and the improvement of civic amenities in urban and semi-urban areas assume significance in view of the population explosion and the growing needs of populace, he added. Sharma said the ensuing elections would give a new dimension to political discourse in the state with politically sagacious people signalling a change to undo the wrongs committedby the present coalition government. —TNS