STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Former Minister and Congress leader, Raman Bhalla blamed the PDP-BJP Coalition Government of depriving the Jammu people of basic amenities.
While addressing a gathering at Bathindi, Bhalla claimed that the unprecedented shortage of basic amenities in Jammu highlight the apathy of the ruling coalition which had failed to address the issues of the people.
“Elections for Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) are overdue but the government is least considerate in this regard. The absence of Panchayats and ULBs not only prevent decentralisation of power but also block necessary development funds. The Central Government has suspended its financial grant for the local governing bodies because of delay in said elections. The State Election Commission has not been constituted yet as per Panchayati Raj Act,” he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Bhalla said that the State will lose more Rs 4,000 crore issued by 14th Finance Commission, if polls are not held. The aforesaid funds include more than Rs 3,117 crore for Panchayats and Rs 1,044 crore for Urban Civic Bodies,” he said.
“Jammu and Kashmir has two Municipal Corporations, six municipal councils, 72 municipal committees and about 3,200 Panchayats, all of which have no elected representatives at present,” he asserted.
“The Panchayati Raj Act 2011 enjoins State Governments to set up a State Election Commission, to be led by a retired IAS officer or an officer not below the rank of Commissioner Secretary, with experience in conduct of polls. The Commission’s mandate is to conduct local polls, including trade body elections. In absence of regulatory body, the State Government has vested these powers in itself,” Bhalla maintained. He further said that the Government does not want to conduct polls in time because it will split its power.
Expressing concern over scarcity of essential commodities, Bhalla said that the administration must come out of the deep slumber and infuse responsiveness and an element of accountability in its machinery in order to mitigate sufferings of people. “People of Jammu are experiencing various difficulties but the authorities are not paying any attention to the burning problems of common man,” he said.