Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today stressed for humanitarian approach towards Jammu and Kashmir saying development and trust remained cornerstones of his Government’s initiatives for the State.
Modi coined the slogans of ‘Vikas’ and ‘Vishwas’ (development and trust) for Jammu and Kashmir while inter-acting with a 30-member delegation of All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference, which called on him at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg this evening.
An official handout released by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said Modi assured the delegation that the Union Government will look into the demands projected by the Panchayat Conference.
Significantly the demands raised by the Panchayat Conference among others included implementation of 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution of India in Jammu and Kashmir and holding of Panchayat and Urban Local Bodies elections in the State. All Panchayats had ceased to exist in the State in July-August this year while elections to Municipalities were not held though completion of the ULBs’ term in March 2010.
Previous NC-Congress Government headed by Omar Abdullah and present PDP-BJP Government headed by Mehbooba Mufti haven’t taken any steps to implement 73rd and 74th amendments of the Constitution of India, which would empower Panchayats and Municipalities. The implementation of these two amendments was long pending demand of the Panchayat members and Civic Bodies’ representatives during their tenure.
The Panchayats as well as Urban Local Bodies elections were overdue in the State but present dispensation in which BJP is an equal partner has taken no steps so far to hold these elections.
Reiterating stress on a humanitarian approach, the Prime Minister told the delegation that `Vikas’ (development) and `Vishwas’ (trust) remained the cornerstones of the Union Government’s development initiatives for the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
Assuring the delegation that the Union Government will look into their demands (raised by All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference), Modi stressed that growth and development of Jammu and Kashmir is high on his agenda. He added that development of the villages, where a majority of people live, is vital to the overall economic development of the State.
The Prime Minister’s slogan of `Vikas and Vishwas’ for Jammu and Kashmir once again has assumed significance as it comes at a time when unrest in the Kashmir valley has almost completed four months now, which had erupted after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen divisional commander Burhan Wani
Modi had announced whopping Rs 80,000 crores worth development package for Jammu and Kashmir on November 7 last year.
The handout issued by the PMO said a 30 member delegation of the All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference called on Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg today.
The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference is an apex body of Panchayat leaders of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The organization represents 4000 village Panchayats of Jammu and Kashmir, with 4000 Sarpanches and 29000 Panches. The delegation was led by the Chairman of the All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference, Shafiq Mir.
However, all Sarpanches and Panches have now completed their five-year term in July-August this year as the Government didn’t hold timely elections to them.
“Members of the delegation briefed the Prime Minister on development issues concerning the State, and said that benefits of Central assistance to the State have not reached the villages due to non-empowerment of the Panchayats, in line with the rest of the country.
“They also submitted a memorandum. They urged the Prime Minister to consider extension of the 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Constitution of India – which pertained to local bodies – to the State of J&K. They also demanded that elections to Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies in the State be held at the earliest. They said that elections held in 2011 had witnessed enthusiastic turnout of voters,” the handout said.
Extension of these Constitutional Provisions to the State would empower the Panchayats to undertake basic development activities in the rural areas, they said. Members expressed hope that this would accelerate the development process in the State, and enable the people of the State to take benefit from various Central Government schemes, the handout said.
The delegation apprised the Prime Minister of the prevailing situation in the State. They strongly condemned the burning of schools by anti-national elements.
The body, which represents people at the grassroot level in Jammu and Kashmir, reiterated its faith in the democratic institutions and processes in the country. Shafiq Mir said that a vast majority of the people of the State wanted a life of peace and dignity. He said vested interests have exploited youngsters and are playing with their future. He urged the Prime Minister to take personal initiative to restore peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
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