CS BVR for free, fair polls

SRINAGAR: Chief Secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam today arrived on a three-day visit to Kashmir. This is his second extended visit to the Valley since the Durbar moved to Jammu earlier this month.

Immediately on his arrival in Srinagar, Chief Secretary chaired a meeting with Deputy Commissioners and District SPs of Kashmir division at the Winter Secretariat here to review the preparations for the first phase of the Panchayat Elections to be held tomorrow.

Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh ADGP CID, Dr B Srinivas, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Baseer Ahmad Khan, IGP Kashmir Zone, S P Pani, DIG Central Kashmir Range, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar and SSP Srinagar and other senior officers were present in the meeting. Deputy Commissioners and Districts SPs of other districts of Kashmir Division joined the meeting via video conferencing.

In the first phase in Kashmir Division, five Panchayat blocks in District Kupwara, three in District Bandipora, six in Leh, five in Baramulla, four in Kargil and one each in Ganderbal, Srinagar and Budgam will go to polls on Saturday.

The DCs/SPs gave detailed account of the preparations and the arrangements made by them for smooth conduct of the Panchayat elections.

Chief Secretary complimented the DCs/SPs and other senior officers in the civil and police administration for their commendable efforts in having ensured smooth municipal polls. He urged them to continue with the same spirit, enthusiasm and commitment in conducting Panchayat elections across the state.

He directed the DCs/SPs to take all required measures to ensure free, fair and incident-free phase 1st of Panchayat polls in their respective districts. He further directed them to ensure that the electors are not put to any inconvenience but are facilitated in the exercise of their democratic rights.

“Ensure close coordination and synergy to secure a conducive atmosphere for greater participation of people in Panchayat elections.,” Chief Secretary stressed and added that Panchayat elections will usher the state on path of development and prosperity in rural areas as significant amount of funds meant for the Panchayat bodies will be released with the positioning of these bodies. In this way, the development process at the grassroots level will not only receive focused attention but will gain speed and momentum.

Chief Secretary also reviewed the logistics, security and contingency plans put in place for these elections, in particular in snow-bound areas.

On this occasion, the DGP, ADGP CID, IGP Kashmir and other senior officers shared their valuable views for the smooth conduct of the Panchayat elections.