Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Nov 26: To garner support of Panchs and Sarpanchs for the coalition candidates in December 3 MLC elections under Panchayat quota, a joint meeting of Congress and National Conference (NC) was held here today, which was presided over by Minister of Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, R S Chib. The Minister of State for Fisheries, Rural Development, Haj & Auqaf, Animal & Sheep Husbandry, Aijaz Ahmed Khan was the guest of honour on the occasion.
Addressing the meeting Mr Chib said holding of elections to these four seats of Legislative Council under Panchayat quota speaks about the honest intentions of the Coalition Government to strengthen the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state.
The Minister made a special mention of the various steps taken by the Government to usher an era of peace and development in the State. He said that the credit for rejuvenating Panchayati Raj in the State also goes to the present Coalition Government.
He further said that this is after a long spell of 30 years that J&K Legislative Council will have four representatives two each from Kashmir and Jammu Divisions, adding that it will enable Panchs and Sarpanchs to have their voice through their representatives in the State Legislature.
Chib also mentioned that provisions of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution will be incorporated in the Panchayati Raj Act of J&K.
In his address Aijaz Ahmed Khan, highlighted the importance of the Legislative Council elections from the Panchayat quota.
Abdul Majid Wani, MLA Doda while discussing the problems being faced by the people said this election will provide an opportunity to workers of alliance partners at grass root level to have better understanding of each other.
He assured that 90 per cent of Sarpanchs and Panchs will vote in favour of coalition candidates.
The contesting candidates Sham Lal Bhagat and Dr Shehnaz Gani assured Panchs and Sarpanchs that they will leave no stone unturned to raise their issues vigorously and effectively in the Legislature Council.
Later, Ministers along with Mohd Sharief Niaz, MLA Bhaderwah also addressed a gathering of Panchs and Sarpanchs at Bhaderwah.
Niaz, while addressing the gathering highlighted the problems being confronted by the people belonging to Bhaderwah Assembly Constituency. He assured that more than 90 percent the Panchs and Sarpanchs of Bhaderwah Assembly Constituency will cast their vote in favour of the Coalition Candidates.
Among others Legislators, Abdul Majid Wani, Ghulam Mohd Saroori, Ashok Kumar, Khalid Najib Suhrawardhy, Naresh Gupta and former legislators Dr Chaman Lal and Kashmira Singh from National Conference also addressed the gathering.
Senior Congress leader and MP, Madan Lal Sharma held series of meetings with Panchs and Sarpanchs at Nagrota, R S Pura and Suchetgarh constituencies and appealed the Panchs and Sarpanchs to vote for alliance candidates Sham Lal Bhagat and Dr Shehnaz Goni and strengthen the coalition in the State.
He said it was in the manifesto of Congress to strengthen the Panchayats in the State and now the coalition has decided to transfer power at grass root level in line with provisions laid down in 73rd and 74th Amendments.
Former Minister and senior Congress leader Mula Ram has demanded honorarium for Sarpanchs and Panchs. While interacting with the Sarpanchs and Panchs of Raipur Domana Constituency today, he said Sarpanchs and Panchs are elected representatives of people at grass root level and they devote time and energy while discharging their duties. So they deserve to be paid honorarium to meet their day -to- day expenses.
Senior NC leader from Rajouri Shafqat Mir today launched a vigorous campaign in support of Shanaz Goni the NC candidate from Jammu region and visited various far-flung areas in Rajouri to garner support for her by holding series of meetings with Panchs and Sarpanchs.
Meanwhile, Ch. Anwar Phambra has also withdrawn in favour of coalition candidates and appealed the Panchs and Sarpanchs to vote in their favour since they both represent the backward communities.
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