Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 21: A crucial meeting of the Chairpersons of District Development Councils (DDCs) from Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Reasi, Udhampur and Doda was held today to highlight the ongoing challenges hampering the effective functioning of the councils due to administrative negligence. The Chairpersons voiced concerns over several critical issues, including slow development execution, lack of authority, and inadequate funding, which they say are obstructing progress in their respective regions.
The meeting, attended by Council Chairpersons— Bharat Bhushan Bodhi (Jammu), Keshav Dutt Sharma (Samba), Col Mahan Singh (Kathua), Lal Chand Bhagat (Udhampur), Saraf Singh Nag (Reasi) and Dhananter Singh Kotwal (Doda), underscored the growing frustration within the councils over the lack of meaningful response from authorities. Despite the existence of clear guidelines for smooth operations, the Council Chairpersons expressed disappointment at the apathy displayed by the administrative machinery.
A key concern raised was the sluggish pace of development work, which they attributed to insufficient funding. The Chairpersons pointed out the absence of a streamlined process for generating additional revenue, further exacerbating the councils’ challenges. They also criticized the current administrative structure, where District Commissioners (DCs) continue to function as the dominant authority despite the creation of District Development Councils.
The Chairpersons argued that either DCs should be made Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the councils or the Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) should be granted full authority, mirroring the strong three-tier governance systems seen in other States. Additionally, they called for mechanisms to hold officials accountable for misconduct, as councils currently lack the power to address such issues.
Another pressing issue highlighted was the delay in the formation of the five Standing Committees, a vital component of the councils’ operations. The Chairpersons also stressed the need for untied or CD funds to address urgent regional concerns, which remain unmet due to bureaucratic inertia.
The Chairpersons appealed to the Lieutenant Governor of J&K to intervene and address these issues promptly, ensuring that the councils are empowered to carry out their mandate of promoting development and welfare for the people of J&K.
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