No mention of BDCs puts Guv in a tight spot
Sumit Sharma. Updated: 1/12/2019 11:48:53 AM
Front Page
Jammu: Barely an hour past Governor Satya Pal Malik’s speech at the Oath Ceremony function of the newly elected Sarpanches of Jammu division at Gulshan Ground in winter capital, the reaction started pouring from various corners, highlighting the absence of mention of constitution of Block Development Councils (BDCs).
Terming the speech of the Satya Pal Malik as more disappointment then empowerment, Anil Sharma, All Jammu Kashmir Panchayat Conference( AJKPC) president said it was surprising that the Governor did not utter even a single word on the important subject of establishing three-tier Panchayati Raj System in Jammu and Kashmir.
“It is of great dismay that the Governor did not touch the vital and important issue of constitution of BDCs which is the next step after the successful conduct of Panchayat elections in the state. It was promised by the state as well as the central governments that they would ensure establishment of three-tier system in Jammu and Kashmir,” the AJKPC leader said.
Sharma said the way Governor deliberately skipped this important subject from his speech it has created doubts in the minds of elected Panchayat members that the state and the central governments are not sincere in fulfilling their promises of setting up 3-tier Panchayat Raj system.
“The people came out in large numbers to exercise their franchise while the elected Panchayat members risked their lives while contesting the polls amid high level of threat. It will be greater disrespect to the mandate of people if the Centre and the state government do not fulfill their promises of strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by constituting BDCs and District Development Planning Boards (DDPBs),” he said.
The AJKPC said the full implementation of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution in J&K was the only solution to many problems confronting the state.
“The strengthening of PRIs by extending 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution to J&K in toto will address many issues confronting the state. It will also help in restoring peace and tranquility in the state,” Sharma said.