Excelsior Correspondent KATHUA, Nov 24: Minister for Industries and Commerce, S. S. Slathia appealed the Panchs and Sarpanchs of the State to cast their votes in favour of Coalition Government nominated candidates for MLC seats under Panchayat quota, adding that their win will definitely facilitate development of a vibrant 3-tier Panchayat Raj system in J&K. Speaking at a series of party workers meetings convened at Vijaypur, Samba and Hiranagar as a part of election campaign in favour of NC and Congress candidates Shehnaz Ganai and Sham Lal Bhagat, respectively for two MLCs seats for Jammu division, Mr. Slathia said that the Coalition Government is committed for total empowerment of Panchs and Sarpanchs to pave the way for a strong and vibrant Panchayat Raj system in the State to ensure people’s participation in plan formulation at village level. Panchayat Raj system is a vital instrument to steer the State in the era of new development and progress, adding that the Government is committed for the empowerment of Panchs and Sarpanchs. Mr. Slathia asked the people not to get swayed away by the disinformation campaign and false propaganda of the opposition against the achievements of the Coalition Government. He said attempts are being made to create wedge between the people on the religion and regional basis which would be fought tooth and nail, adding that nobody will be allowed to damage the secular and social fabric of the State which is the hallmark of rich ethos and traditions of the State. Senior NC leader Ajay Sadhotra, Shehnaz Ganai and Sham Lal Bhagat, and Swarn Lata also spoke on the occasion. Meanwhile, Congress & NC candidates for Member Legislative Council elections today held meetings with Sarpanchs and Panchs at Ghagwal, Hiranagar and Kathua. Accompanied by senior leader of Congress & NC, the nominees of two parties Sham Lal Bhagat (INC) and Dr. Shenaz Ganai (NC) appealed to the electorates to ensure their victory for strengthening the Panchayat Raj system in the State. They were accompanied by Mr. Slathia, Member Parliament Ch. Lal Singh, Senior NC leaders and MLC Ajay Sadhotra, vice president PCC Hari Singh, Minister of State Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma, MLC Subash Gupta, Ex-MLA Parkash Sharma, Vinod Mishra, Subash Bhagat, Kashmir Singh, Ex-MLA G. L.Chalotra, Vice Chairperson SC Board Swarn Lata besides district and block unit of NC and Congress. The coalition candidates assured to take up the demands and issues of Sarpanchs and Panchs with the Government as well as in the house in order to strengthen and further empower the Panchayats in the State. Meanwhile, a joint meeting of District Congress Committee Udhampur and District NC Udhampur was held to make a strategy to get the maximum votes from Panchs and Sarpanchs in fourth coming elections of MLCs. Sham Lal Sharma, Health Minister of the State, chaired the meeting, Bhopinder Singh Pathania president District Congress Committee, Udhampur, Krishan Chander Bhagal MLA Chennani, Brij Mohan Sharma Congress senior leader, Anil Pachila working president DCC Udhampur Vijay Manhas president BCC Udhampur, Geeta Khajuria, District Mahilla Congress president Taro Devi, general secretary DCC and Sarpanch Sham Lal Samnotra and others were present in the meeting. Health Minister stressed to make personal and individual contacts with the Panchs and Sarpanchs of all Blocks of Udhampur District. He asked the district heads of both the parties to constitute co-ordinating committees at Block level for campaigning in favour of NC-Congress candidates.
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