Excelsior Correspondent
DODA, Dec 6: PCC president Ghulam Ahmed Mir has said that a vibrant Panchayat Raj system in the country today is the result of Congress party’s vision and continuous endeavour to strengthen democracy at the grassroot level.
Addressing a Congress convention at Doda today in which large number of party workers especially newly elected Sarpanches and Panches attended, PCC chief recalled the long drawn efforts of the Congress party to decentralize powers to the grass- root level right from the period of first Prime Minister Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru. Rajiv Gandhi brought about a landmark concept to revolutionize PRIs in the country through 73rd and 74th amendments in the constitution, he added.
Mir further said that Congress party vigorously struggled for the implementation of the provision of 73rd and 74th amendments in the State to fully empower the PRIs in the State and finally it succeeded bringing its alliance partner on board to amend the State Panchayat Raj Act in March 2014. He expressed great satisfaction that Congress succeeded in its mission and the present election in the State to the PRIs has been held as per 73rd and 74th amendment. It is the result of amended law that women have got 33% reservation at all tiers of PRIs in the State besides to SCs and STs.
He said prior to 2014 amendment, the women, SC/STs were deprived of their due share at different levels and the Panchayat Raj Act was the full of provisions of nominations to dilute the mandate of elections. Even chairman of the District Planning and Development Board was to be a nominated head, but now, he/she shall be elected from amongst members of the Board.
PCC president said that all those advocating for the democracy and taking credit for these elections, must explain their role for working against empowerment of PRIs in the State. He took dig at the rival parties for trying to weaken the PRIs in the State by creating various obstacles and while PDP-BJP brought a retrograde amendment of indirect elections to the Sarpanches, besides some other steps to dilute their powers.
The convention was also addressed by former Minister, Abdul Majid Wani, MLC Thakur Balbir Singh, DCC president Doda, Sheikh Mujeeb and other senior leaders.
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