Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 7: Despite remaining engaged in tug of war for quite long time over the extension of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir, the Coalition partners— National Conference and Congress have completely forgotten this vital issue ever since the incorporation of the provisions in the Panchayati Raj Act of the State.
What to talk of initiating steps to ensure framing of Block Development Councils and District Planning and Development Boards, both the parties have even stopped talking about the subject thereby indicating that series of discussions before amendment in the J&K Panchayati Raj Act were just aimed at befooling the common masses.
The issue of extension of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir in order to strengthen all the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system became a topic of hot debate early last year with the Opposition parties targeting the National Conference-Congress Coalition Government for remaining mum on the issue.
Under pressure from the party high command, the State Congress leaders too started raising the issue vociferously and issuing statements that they were committed to the extension of this Constitution of India provision to Jammu and Kashmir.
Both the Coalition partners remained engaged in tug of war over the issue because of divergent views. While the Congress was demanding extension of 73rd Amendment in its entirety, the National Conference was of the view that several provisions of 73rd Amendment were already existing in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act. There was also difference of opinion on several provisions including elected Chairman of the District Planning and Development Board.
The discussion on the issue picked up momentum when Vice-President of All India Congress Committee, Rahul Gandhi and other senior party leaders made it clear that there would not be any second though on extension of 73rd Amendment to Jammu and Kashmir. After series of meetings and discussions in the Coordination Committee, both the parties arrived at consensus and finally the State Cabinet gave nod to incorporation of 73rd Amendment Provisions in J&K Panchayati Raj Act in its meeting held on February 8, 2014.
Accordingly, during the Budget Session, a bill was tabled in the State Legislature seeking necessary amendments in the State’s Act in order to extend 73rd Amendment. The Legislature on March 4, 2014 gave nod to the Bill thereby paving the way for framing of other two tiers of the Panchayati Raj system—Block Development Councils and District Planning and Development Boards purely as per the spirit of 73rd Amendment.
However, both the parties have forgotten the implementation of 73rd Amendment provisions as since March no step has been initiated to constitute Block Development Councils and District Planning and Development Boards. “What was the justification behind raising hue and cry over extension of this Constitution of India provision when it was to be dumped following amendment in J&K Act”, sources asked, adding “the Ministers and leaders of Congress party, who were very vociferous about extension of 73rd Amendment to J&K, have even stopped making mention of this issue”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Panchayat elections in the State were held from April to June in 2011 after a gap of nearly 37 years. The Government had promised that the elections to BDCs would be held within three months of the Panchayat elections. Finally, the Government had announced elections to 143 BDCs across the State to be elected by 33,500 Sarpanchs and Panchs for November 7, 2012 and a notification had also been issued in first week of October for the purpose.
However, the Congress, the main coalition partner of National Conference, and some other political parties had objected to holding of BDC elections without reservations to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women. The Government had then announced cancellation of the elections even after setting the electoral process into motion.
As per the amended J&K Panchayati Raj Act, Chairpersons of the District Development and Planning Boards and Block Development Councils would be elected. There would be reservation for SC/ST category for the post of Chairpersons as per their population in a specific constituency besides 33 percent reservation for the women belonging to the categories for these positions.
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