Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 3: Movement for Peace, Equality & Justice (MPEJ) has expressed disappointment the over holding of 2nd and 3rd Tier elections without making amendments in the State Panchayati Raj Act enacted by Congress-PDP coalition.
In a handout Ram Singh Chauhan and Kuldeep Kumar Rao, MPEJ members said, under present system, any competent, honest & educated person cannot nominate himself/herself for the office of Block Development Council Chairman unless he or she is a Panch or Sarpanch.
“This rider needs immediate amendment as present Panches or Sarpanches have no or little educational qualifications with zero experience of governance. Also at present, about 1043 Panchayats are without any Panch or Sarpanch,” Rao said.
He also said, as these elections are unofficially been fought on party basis with due reservation to women of SC/ST category, it clearly means that Government is interested to induct those Panches or Sarpanches who are loyal to their masters thereby keeping talented persons out of the game.
MPEJ has urged upon the Governor to make amendment in the State Panchayat Raj Act that anybody whose name exists in the electoral list in any village of the block, may be allowed to nominate himself/herself for the office of Chairperson of the Block.
Follow our WhatsApp channel