Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 17: Jammu Police here on Thursday arrested Anil Sharma, President of All J&K Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) and other leaders during a protest demanding empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
Similar protests were held in Srinagar too on the call of AJKPC president, Anil Sharma.
In Srinagar, the protests were held outside Press Enclave wherein AJKPC members raised slogans against J&K government.
In Jammu AJKPC members led by Anil Sharma staged a protest demonstration near Dogra Chowk from where Sharma was lifted by cops along with others.
Reiterating their demand for implementation of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution in J&K, the protesters alleged that government has failed to empower PRIs financially.
“The PRIs have not been able to bring a desired change on the ground in rural areas due to non-availability of financial resources. We request the UT government to create Panchayat Development Fund (PDF) on the pattern of MLAs’ Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to improve the living standards of people at Panchayat level,” Sharma said while addressing the protestors.
He also said that the government should fix a minimum of Rs. 25 lakh per Panchayat as PDF which will help the elected Panchayat members to bring a positive change on ground.
Sharma further demanded an increase in the amount of Rs 10 lakh, sanctioned by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha under Back to Village (B2V) programme, to Rs 25 lakh.
More demands of AJKPC included enhancement of monthly honorarium of Sarpanches and Panches to Rs 10,000 per month for Sarpanches and Rs 5,000 per month for Panches.
“If the Centre and the UT administration are sincere in their approach vis-à-vis overall development of rural areas, they will have to take immediate measures for implementation of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution and financial empowerment of the PRIs,” he maintained.
In Srinagar protests were held by AJKPC leaders Reyaz Ahmad Bhat, Irshad Ahmad Bhat, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, Reyaz Ahmad, Javid Ahmad, Mohd Shreef Bhat, Afrooza Akther, Nazir Ahmed Dedar and Inass Ul Islam.
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