Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) a registered organization working for strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions in J&K today held a strong protest outside Press Club in Jammu against the Rural Development Department alleging the latter of conspiring to undermine the authority and autonomy of Panchayati Raj Institutions.
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Over 100 elected Panchayat members and senior members of the AJKPC led by its president Anil Sharma held protest raising slogans against the Rural Development Department for its order to revoke and retract amount of Rs 200 Crore that was actually available at the disposal of Panchayats under 14th Finance Commission.
Agitating PRI members informed that earlier also around 2 months ago a similar order to rescind funds under 14th FC was issued but later the RDD after severe criticism from the elected Panchayat members had assured that it would not fiddle with the available funds and the Panchayats would be allowed to use these funds till 31st March and they shall be allowed to make payments against the completed and started developmental works in the Panchayats that have the approval of the Gram Sabhas.
While addressing the media person he stated that despite assurance from Lt Governor that the Panchayat would be allowed to use the funds under 14th FC till 31st March, the RDD has again issued an order on March Ist, 2023 and has issued instructions to the J&K Bank not to allow Panchayts to use these funds and instead transfer the money in the 14th FC award account maintained by J&K RDD.
AJKPC termed this order of RDD as direct assault on the autonomy of the Panchayats and warned the officers there to respect the grassroot level democratic institutions that are elected by the people through a legal and democratic mean. Explaining supremacy of PRIs, AJKPC president further stated that after 73rd amendment of Constitution of India, the elected Panchayats draw their power directly from the Constitution of India and statutes of the respective states and Union Territories therefore the bureaucrats must not undermine these basic institutions of self governance rather contribute in strengthening them.
All the protesting PRI members urged the Government of India and Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha to caution the Babus to stop infringement and contravention of the Panchayati Raj Act.
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