Srinagar, Aug 28 - Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said gradual revocation of controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state will begin during the tenure of his government.

Addressing a large public gathering at Rajpora in Pulwama district this afternoon, the Chief Minister said the state will witness revocation of AFSPA during the time of his government adding benefits of peace will be circulated all across, an official spokesman said.

Omar said his endeavour is to take peace dividends to every household and make the public fully empowered to ask questions about the performance of government at all levels.

Taking a dig at opposition PDP leadership, the Chief Minister, without naming them, said when they were in power they never talked about revocation of AFSPA or other such related issues.

He said PDP voted against the rehabilitation policy resolution moved in the state assembly by M Y Tarigami and supported by National Conference which was in opposition at that time and PDP in power.

He said his government has initiated various measures in this directions adding that enactment of Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA), Right to Information Act (RTI), panchayat elections and transfer of powers to these bodies vindicate his government's commitment to good governance and public empowerment.

The Chief Minister said by implementating PSGA, the common man has been legally empowered to get service delivery within the prescribed time frame.

Omar said his government, by implementing the RTI Act and constituting State Right to Information Commission, has given ample power to people to question any government department about its functioning, physical progress of work, financial transactions and other related matters.

He said this has paved the way to make functioning of government departments transparent and curb chances of corruption.

The Chief Minister referred to the holding of panchayat elections and empowering panchayats to deliver some fifty services transferred to these institutions.

He said more powers are being transferred to panchayats and Panchs and Sarpanchs are being given training to enhance their capacity for utilizing the powers transferred to them.

He said elections to block panchayat councils will be held this year to make these bodies functional at block levels. PTI