Last election to the urban rural bodies in the State was held in 2005, and its term expired in 2010. Thereafter no elections to municipal bodies were held for reasons not known to us. According to the rules of the Central Government funds for elections to URB are sanctioned and released on yearly basis only when elections are held. Once the elections are held, the Central Government has the provision to sanction more funds on performance basis also. The 14th Finance Commission Award had given Rs 3463.73 crore and Rs 1305.64 crore for Panchayats and Municipalities respectively. In addition, there was a provision of Rs 346.73 crore and Rs. 261.13 crore for Panchayats and ULBs respectively as Performance Grants. During last couple of years, the State has lost Rs 169.29 crores provided for Urban Local Bodies under the 13th Finance Commission award.
It is unfortunate that the State has not been able to hold municipal elections and thereby lost a sizeable amount of grant. Had not the situation been like that, the condition of municipalities in Jammu and Srinagar would not be that dismal. Now the Central Government seems to have reviewed the question of current financial year’s grant position to J&K State and revised its decision in favour of the State. It has conveyed that it accepts the weight in the reason why the State could not hold municipal election this year. A new coalition Government had to be sworn in this year and elections were followed by Governor’s rule. This made it physically difficult for the State to hold elections to the municipal bodies. In view of this, the Centre has agreed tor release Rs. 125.3 crore rupees for the current financial year which means that the time span at the disposal of the Government is barely two months. Will the Government be able to utilize the funds thus provided within the short span of time is a big question. Nevertheless, the Centre has imposed a rider on this one time concession. It says that grants for the financial year 2016-17 in respect of URB would be sanctioned subject to holding elections to the municipal bodies. We understand that the Governor is already seized of the issue and has even had consultations with the administration. In all probability the Government may hold elections to the municipal bodies in the month of April 2016. If that is done, then the central grant for the urban rural bodies will be sanctioned in normal course.
Election to Panchayats is also an associated matter. These elections were held by the NC-Congress coalition Government after a lapse of 37 years. The Panchayats were completing their five years term in June-July this year and the Government should hold elections to them on time to ensure that the grants being received for Panchayats for carrying out developmental works in the rural areas weren’t stopped. The Government proposed to hold Municipal elections in April followed by the Panchayat polls. Obviously, when Panchayat elections will be held in 2016, the three tier system has to be completed in full and then alone the state will be entitled to receive grants for Panchayat elections.
In final analysis, what needs to be done is to conduct a study why municipal elections could not be held and how hurdles in holding these elections on time can be overcome. Deferring of municipal elections is a big loss to the State and to its people. This should not be allowed to happen. Same is the case with Panchayat elections. We are hopeful that elections in both segments will be held on time this year. The quintessential purpose of these elections is to strengthen our democratic system as well as good governance. It is the most laudable method of empowerment of people and allowing them an opportunity of becoming masters of their destiny. Luckily, the Central Government is providing funding for these exercises. Loosing the funds owing to our slackness in holding elections to these bodies ultimately results in loss to the people of the State.
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