Neeraj Rohmetra
Jammu, Oct 23: Coalition partners — Congress and National Conference are inching towards consensus over the provisions of the 73rd Amendments, which need to be incorporated into the J&K Panchayati Raj Act.
Several indications in this regard have emanated from the meeting of the Coordination Committee (CC), which was held in Srinagar at around 5.30 pm under the chairmanship of JKPCC (I) chief, Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz today.
“There was near unanimity among the respective representatives of the coalition partners, who participated in the meeting, which lasted for more than one hour. There were only few provision, which required further discussion and they were also likely to be sorted out in the next meeting”, reliable sources told EXCELSIOR.
Besides, Prof Soz, who is the Chairman of the Coordination Committee (CC), the meeting was attended by Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar — from National Conference and Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand from Congress. Minister for CAPD and Transport Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan couldn’t attend the meeting due to some personal engagements.
Both Congress and NC nominees, who were present in the meeting exuded confidence that the final draft of the provisions of the 73rd Amendments would be finalized in the next meeting, which is likely to be held soon.
The meeting of Coordination Committee comes in the backdrop of announcements made by All India Congress (I) Committee general secretary, Incharge Jammu and Kashmir, Ambika Soni on August 31 setting two months time frame for Omar Abdullah led National Conference-Congress Coalition Government for introducing amendments in the State Panchayati Raj Act and implementation of important provisions of 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India in it.
Sources stated that the State Congress leadership had been facing lot of heat over its failure to convince its oalition partner — National Conference to include amendments in the State Constitution as early as possible.
Sources said, “there is complete unanimity among the coalition partners over the incorporation of 73rd Amendments pertaining to granting constitutional guarantee to Panchayats on completion of five years term followed by elections after every five years, financial and administrative powers including control over development and 14 identified Departments, setting up of separate Finance Commission and Election Commission for the Panchayats, reservation in second and third tier of Panchayats for SC/STs and women i.e. BDCs and District Development and Planning Boards (DDPB), security to Panchayats members and providing emoluments to Panchayat members and to BDC DDPB”.
“Among the provision, which still remains to be sorted out is the issue of providing reservation at the lowest level and not from the upper tier”, sources remarked.
Sources said, “the CC also discussed the issues pertaining to National Food Security Bill and Land Security Bill and it was mutually decided that further discussion will be held on both the legislations in the next meeting, which is likely to be held soon”. Congress party in its PCC convention held in Jammu on August 31 had described National Food Security Bill and Land Acquisition Bill, passed by the Lok Sabha as “historic and welcome steps”. The resolution, which was moved by Prof Soz and seconded by Mr Azad described both the legislations as ‘revolutionary measures”.
“Beside, the CC also discussed the issue of filling of vacant posts of Public Service Commission. Both NC and Congress have mutually agreed to nominates two members each for their appointment as members of the PSC”, sources said adding, “the parties also deliberated various options available for settlement of refugees, who have been suffering over the past several years.”
Confirming to EXCELSIOR that all the issues were taken up in the meeting, CC Chairman Prof Soz said, “the meeting was held in very cordial manner and the minutes of the meeting would be released soon”.
Asked about the agenda of the meeting, Prof Soz said, “we discussed issues pertaining to 73rd Amendments, Food Bill , Land Acquisition Bill and settlement of refugees”
Rural Minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar, while echoing similar views said, “during the meeting, discussions were held on gamut of issues including Panchayat Raj Amendments, Food Security Bill and Land Acquisition Bill”, adding, “soon another meeting of the Coordination Committee will be held to further arrive at some consensus”.
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