Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Nov 24: NPP chairman Harshdev Singh today lambasted the State Government for subverting the democratic process in the State by weakening the grass root institutions of local self governance in the State including Panchayats and Local Bodies. He said that whereas the Panchayats have been rendered defunct by depriving them of the powers as per the Central law, the elections to Local Bodies have been denied wrongfully. He said that Cong-NC coalition was hell bent to demolish the institutional apparatus in the State with largest damage having been done to the said grass root level institutions which are supposed to be symbols of democratic decentralization. Mr. Singh was speaking in public meetings held in Reasi and Chamba (Katra) organized by NPP unit together with the local Sarpanchs and Panchs of the area. He was accompanied by Balwant Singh Mankotia (MLA) State president besides other senior leaders of the party who appealed to the voters to support NPP candidates in the MLC elections from Panchayat constituencies. Accusing the ruling coalition of sabotaging the empowerment of Panchayats, Mr. Singh said that both the alliance partners had been constantly taking contradictory and irreconcilable stands on the issue. He said the coalition partners had been indulging in blame game with the avowed common objective of depriving the Panchayats of their legitimate rights and powers as envisaged under law. Making a reference to the Chief Minister’s statement, he said that Omar Abdullab had blamed the Congress saying that he was approached by two Ministers and some MLAs who had opposed the empowerment of Panchayats. Contrarily, Mr. Singh said, the congress had been taking the stand that it was National Conference which was averse to the whole process. He said the role of congress was highly intriguing and mischievous as it was, though demonstrating on roads and holding protests for Panchayats cause, it had never raked up the issue of Panchayat empowerment in any of the Cabinet meetings or in the Assembly. Mr. Singh further lambasted the Government for delay and deny in the matter of holding of Urban Local Bodies Elections in the State. He said that the Elections to Urban Local Bodies which were due in early 2010 have been inordinately delayed by more than two and a half years. Mr. Mankotia said that NPP has already released the manifesto for elections to MLC seats from Panchayat constituencies. He said that NPP is committed to provide legitimate powers to Panchayats to make them deliver local and social justice and implement the various developmental schemes within their respective jurisdictions. He said that Panchayats should be assigned the role of eradicating illiteracy young or old in the Panchayats. He demanded elections for chairman of BDC as well as DDBs and amendment of all provisions in the Panchayati Raj Act pertaining to nominations. He demanded early constitution of Panchayati Adalats. Meanwhile, Prof. Bhim Singh, chief patron of JKNPP addressed several meetings of Sarpnachs and Panchs at Basohli, Bhund, Bani and other places. The campaign launched by the Panthers party in support of its candidates Anita Thakur and Mohd. Rafiq Chandel from Jammu Pradesh. Addressing rallies of Sarpanchs and Panchs at Bani, Prof. Bhim Singh appealed to them to participate in the elections and defeat the authoritarian, communal and corrupt Government by the exercise of their powers. He accused the Government for conspiring to present situation so that anti-Government Panchayat members failed to make it. Government wants that Sarpanchs and Panchs should boycott the elections so that Government gets benefits of it. NPP Supremo cautioned the Sarpanchs and Panchs that any boycott anywhere in the State will help Congress candidate. This is the conspiracy that anti-Government vote shall be cast. If Panchs and Sarpanchs boycott the poll so that NC-Congress will get benefit of it.
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