Committed to hold Assembly polls after delimitation: LG
Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 31: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla today said that the Government is committed and working to strengthen the Panchayat Raj and a framework has been furnished to improve the lives of common man.
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The Lok Sabha Speaker said this while addressing a gathering at SKICC in Srinagar. He is on a visit to Jammu and Kashmir and is presently in Srinagar, as a part of the Parliamentary Outreach Programme, aimed to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Speaker said that deliberations were held with the Panchayat representatives, and feedback was received as to how it can be strengthened and answerable more toward the general public so that they work together as per their aspirations and demands.
He said that the Government is working to strengthen the Panchayat Raj system so that problems faced by the general public are eliminated well on time and how the life of the common masses can be improved with time.
“The public remains in close touch with the local Panchayat and all the deliberations held here will reach the Parliament for early disposal”, the Speaker said.
He added that the three-tier systems here in Kashmir valley is functioning normally and they must work together for benefit of the general public and as per their aspirations besides youth and women must be empowered by them also they must contribute in making the villages Atmanirbhar.
He said that Panchayats should be answerable to the public and there must be proposals as per the aspirations of people so that people are benefitted in every village since the government is supposed to ease their sufferings and a framework has been furnished for the same.
He assured that elaborate arrangements would be made by Lok Sabha Secretariat for capacity-building programmes for representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the Union Territory. He hoped that properly trained representatives would be able to work professionally which would ultimately make a qualitative change in the lives of the people.
Birla further informed that he would suggest to the Parliamentary Standing Committees to undertake regular Study Visits to the far flung areas of the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh to understand the ground realities and possible solutions for mitigation of grievances of the local people.
He appreciated the UT administration for successfully conducting the elections saying that people by large took part in the electoral process which strengths the political structure of the country with the result there is are regular deliberations with the people.
The Speaker highlighted the successfully conducted maiden BDC elections in Jammu and Kashmir.
He informed that more than 300 Parliamentarians have come to Jammu and Kashmir since 2019 and interacted with people on the ground aimed to that lead the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir towards progress while a deep faith is gained.
“I hope that panchayats will be more people-friendly in times to come and work in coordination for more progress besides ensuring that the villages become Atmanirbhar”, the Speaker said.
Speaking on this occasion, Union Minister of State for the Ministries of Jal Shakti and Food Processing Industries Prahlad Singh Patel referred to various Government schemes that have reached the intended beneficiaries in the recent past. He said that in democracy, Panchayats have a significant role in channelizing the fruits of development at the grass-root level.
Patel also said that Government schemes, which have been overseen by the representatives of local bodies, have improved the way of life of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha said that Gram Panchayats and PRIs are at the heart of our development process and they can provide good governance at the grass-root level.
Referring to the 73rd and 74th Constitutional amendments, he hailed the implementation of the three tier Panchayati Raj system in Jammu and Kashmir. Sinha also said that enhanced budgetary support to the PRIs in Jammu and Kashmir is ensuring rapid development of the Union Territory.
He also called for improving transparency and accountability of democratic institutions and use of technology in this regard. By 2024, all the households in Jammu and Kashmir will be provided 24×7 electricity, said Sinha.
Later Sinha told the press conference that the Government of India is committed to hold Assembly elections in J&K Union Territory soon after Delimitation Commission (DC) will complete its exercise.
“In the August 15 speech, Prime Minister Narendera Modi stated that the Delimitation Commission was working on a fast-track basis. Apart from that, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has already stated on the floor of the house that statehood will be granted to J&K at an appropriate time,” the LG said.
The LG said that soon after the DC will complete its exercise, Assembly elections will be held in J&K. “As far as the dates of elections, it’s the prerogative of the Election Commission of India,” he said.
Pertinently, the LG said that the number of Assembly seats will go up from existing 87 to 94 in J&K.
Replying to a query, whether there was a possibility of any impact on J&K in the wake of Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the LG said that the Foreign Minister has already made a speech in the Parliament over the issue and people should stick to that.
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