STATE TIMES NEWS
Jammu: Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, former Minister and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) general secretary lamented the BJP PDP government for weakening of the elected panchayati raj institution in the state by issuing orders surpassing the elected representatives Panchayats in Jammu & Kashmir which plays a vital role at the grass-root level for the development of the rural area. Dr Sharma said that in previous Congress-NC coalition government empowered the Panchayat Raj Institution in the state through the cabinet decision No. 40/3/2011 dated 9th of Feb. 2011 and cabinet decision no. 170/21/2011 dated 21st September 2011 which implement through government order No. 1126-GAD of 2011 dated 22nd September 2011 in which devolution of functions and activities of 14 departments to these institutions in order to strengthen grass root level democratic institutions but it is very unfortunate that the BJP and PDP government make the mockery of the democratically elected panchayati raj institutions by issuing one and another order “re-constitution of village education committee” vide order no. 272-Edu of 2015 dated 12th June 2015 and second order “constitution of vigilance and monitoring committee to check pilferage and ensure monitoring of PDS supplies” vide government order no. 89-CA&PD of 2015 dated 19th of August 2015.
Both government orders are totally against the constitutional spirit of democratically elected panchayati raj institutions and in both the orders an elected sarpanch will function under the Numberdar and teacher of primary school. Dr Sharma further said the congress party always works for the empowering and strengthening the democratic set up in the state of Jammu and Kashmir as well as in the whole country which was the dream of father of nation Mahatma Gandhi. The Congress party under the Prime Ministership of Rajeev Gandhi works for further strengthening of local self government / PRI by making 73rd and 74th amendment in the constitution of India and is also recently incorporated in the constitution of Jammu & Kashmir in the previous congress and NC regime after strong persuasion with the national conference. It is first time in the history of country that a National party like Bharatiya Janata Party is working against the spirit and empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institution.
Dr Sharma further sought reply from the leadership of the BJP is state as well in the nation to clear their stand on the issue. Dr Sharma strongly criticized the imposition of president rule in Arunachal Pradesh to destabilize a democratically elected popular government which is a strangulation of democracy. Dr. Sharma appealed to Governor to kindly intervene and withdraw all previous undemocratic orders passed by the previous government in order to strengthen the elected panchayati raj institution in the state and restore the confidence of public on this grass root level local self government.
