Panchayat polls will help empower locals, solve problems in J&K

New Delhi, July 14: Holding of panchayat elections will have a far reaching impact in Jammu and Kashmir particularly in the given circumstance when the state has faced unrest in an unending cycle of stone-pelting protests and violence, top sources in the BJP source here said.

In about three weeks time since the imposition of Governor's Rule in Jammu and Kashmir,
decks have been cleared for holding the Panchayat elections in Jammu and Kashmir - a mega socio-political event that did not take place since 2011.

"In 2011, over 75 per cent of Kashmiris had voted during the panchayat elections raising high expectations," a senior BJP leader in the know of things told TNN here.

These polls had raised "overwhelming expectations" as empowering the local administrative bodies is seen as a major reform and crucial element to improving the situation in the militancy hit Jammu and Kashmir.

Even the then Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of National Conference was keen to "empower panchayats" but there were challenges and hurdles often created by local ministers and legislators, sources said.

In a crucial meeting on Thursday at Srinagar, top state government officials and the Governor N N Vohra decided that the elections of Sarpanches of Halqa Panchayats will be conducted "directly" in tune with the original position in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act of 1989.

"This will have a far reaching impact particularly in the given circumstance when the Kashmir Valley and other parts of the state have faced unrest and often hundreds were injured and many killed in an unending cycle of stone-pelting protests and violence," the source said.

More importantly, sources said during his recent visit to the state - after the collapse of PDP-BJP government, the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh also favoured "on the need to percolate central funds to the grassroots level".

The BJP source maintained that the 73rd Constitution amendment that gave immense functional
autonomy and financial powers to the panchayats in other parts of India could not automatically
become applicable in Jammu and Kashmir because of 'constitutional provision'.

But the state's own law of 1989 allows direct elections to panchayats and this has been "restored" now. In 2016, former Union Home Secretary G K Pillai also had favoured "empowering" the local panchayat bodies saying this would go a long way in bringing about drastic socio-political changes in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a former BJP Minister in the Mehbooba Mufti government, local people in Jammu and Kashmir expect the panchayats to deliver on drainage and village roads but they need adequate funds.

"But the fear of bringing an end to the 'monopoly' of the existing political leaders and especially MLAs often created major hurdles in conducting local body polls in Jammu and Kashmir....There has been asinister conspiracy," the leader said.

While last panchayat polls were held in 2011, in Jammu and Kashmir last municipal polls were held only in 2005.

According to informed sources in the BJP, the idea of holding such polls could appear very good, but the challenges were multiple. Foremost of all, the source said, the security scenario and willingness of local village level population ought to be gauged properly and there also has to be a study of the weather conditions.

While in 2017, low turnout of voters and violence marred Srinagar Lok Sabha poll, in 2016 as well,
the panchayat polls were postponed after the increase in violence over the Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani.

Quoting former Union Minister S B Chavan and L K Advani, the source said, the key to answers for solution to many problems in Jammu and Kashmir is good economic activity as common people are more interested in jobs, development and children's education.

"So, the focus is now right - empower panchayats and help development percolate down to the village level and interiors, things can definitely improve," the source added.