STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Member Parliament and President of National Conference, met Governor N.N Vohra here on Monday, and informed that his party was looking forward to the forthcoming Panchayat elections, which were long overdue.
The former Chief Minister complained that the indirect election of the Sarpanchs shall vitiate the essence of the Panchayati Raj institutional framework. He also demanded that full details of the delimitation of Panchayats recently done by the State Government should be placed in the public domain. He stressed on the need for all the candidates being provided effective security and the sanctity of Gram Sabhas being strictly maintained till the elections were concluded.
Dr. Abdullah expressed serious concern and warned about the lack of required action to prevent the rapid pace at which drug smuggling and trafficking were spreading in the State. He also complained about the virtual stoppage of registration of residents under the Aadhaar Card scheme and complained that those who are without such identity cards are facing serious problems in carrying out their day to day businesses.
Dr. Abdullah informed Governor about his recent tours to difficult areas in the Valley, including Machhil, Keran and Tithwal, and complained about poor condition of roads, unsatisfactory health facilities and delays in the implementation of important development works. Governor and Dr. Abdullah also discussed several issues relating to the restoration of normalcy in the State.
The meeting comes a day after, National Conference President conferred with his party functionaries at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan to draw strategy for the panchayat elections. He exhorted the cadre to fan out in their respective areas and start identifying right candidates for the position of Panchs.
Dr Farooq Abdullah also indicated doing away with the amendment affected by the ruling PDP-BJP dispensation in the Panchayati Raj Act 1989 with regard to elections of Sarpanchs in case his party gets absolute majority in the Assembly elections.
The NC functionaries gave their chief the over-view of ground situation in various districts with regard to upcoming elections to grass roots level democratic institutions.
