Shadow Correspondent
JAMMU, FEB 26:
Jammu Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) general secretary and Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan (RGPRS), convener, J&K, Shahnawaz Choudhary on Sunday addressed a Press Conference at Congress Headquater Jammu and while speaking to the Media, he threatened to launch agitation against Government for denying direct election of sarpanches and weakening Panchayati Raj institutions.
Conducting indirect elections and centralizing Panchayats will lead to weakening of the institution. Instead of strengthening the institution, the Government has disturbed the basic of democracy. The Previous Government had tried to strengthen the Panchayati Raj in the state by passing the bill in the Assembly as per the provisions of 73rd amendment.But, the PDP BJP Govt. instead of implementing it, they have further diluted even the old state panchayti raj act and have imposed indirect Elections in Panchayats , which has lost the faith among the People of State on the present Govt. This will give rise to Horse trading only and that is the motto of Govt.
Coming down on the Government, Shahnawaz alleged that this is Murder of Democracy and they have decided to go among the people and aware them about the undemocratic steps taken by the government and what is the actual Panchayati Raj.
“They have cheated the basic of democratic system instead of empowering Panchayats. The Government even ignored State’s own Panchayati Raj Act and started allegedly eroding democratic system at the grass root level,” alleged Shahnawaz Choudhary.
“Voter lists are updated every year. The population has increased in last seven years after 2011 census and it would be injustice with the people if it is not done as per the number voters,” he alleged . Speaking to the media, he said, the government want to set political score and allegedly indulged in grass violations of rights of voters.
He said that Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sangathan, J&K is going to start State wide awareness campaign and Agitation against the PDP- BJP Govt. for destroying the democratic structure of Panchayats in the State.
Others Prominent office bearers of RGPRS who were present, Sandeep Sharma, Vijay Tagotra (Ex sarpanch), Surjeet singh (Ex Sarpanch), Mohd Aslam (Ex sarpanch) and Hamid Khokhar (Ex sarpanch).
