Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 4: Sarpanchs delegation led by J&K Panchayat Conference general secretary and Sarpanch Ravinder Singh today called on Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Raghav Langer and put forth issues and demands related to the smooth functioning of PRIs.
Prominent among those who accompanied Singh include Sarpanch Jatinder Singh, Sarpanch Pritam Bhagat, Sarpanch Des Raj Bhagat, Panch Sidhu, Sushil Bhagat beside others.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh demanded funds meant for developmental work to carry forward to the next fiscal year 2022-23.“J&K is already a financially starved region and this lapse of funds at the end of this financial year 2021-22 would be a huge setback for the PRIs,” he said.
He claimed that the administration is yet to release part instalments of funds to the PRIs under the 14th and 15th Financial Commission. Singh asked the administration to revisit its policy of e-tendering for work below Rs 5 lakh and demanded that such contracts should be awarded to locals of the Panchayat and blocks.
Singh claimed that Government has not cleared financial liabilities under the Centre’s flagship scheme, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). “It is unfortunate that financial liabilities of financial years 2016-17, 2017-18 and onwards under MGNREGA Scheme have not been cleared till date,” he regretted.
He said even the wages of highly skilled labourers have not been cleared which is in utter violation of guidelines of the Act. The AJKPC leader appealed the UT administration to take the matter with Centre to increase employment generating days under MGNREGA to 200 in a year.
Dr Langer assured the members of the delegation that UT Government is working on many fronts to strengthen the PRIs for a vibrant and effective grass root democracy in Jammu and Kashmir and the suggestions put forth by the members of the delegation would be looked into earnestly.
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