Sir,
This has reference to the news item ‘Panchayats set to complete term on July 17’ DE July 7.
As the five year term of the Panchayats is coming to end on July 17, all Panchayati Raj Institutions in the State will cease to function from that day onwards. Since the Government has not announced fresh dates for polls , it is a matter of concern as it will give a death blow to these institutions in the State, and consequently to grass root democracy.
The last time when elections to these bodies were held in April-May 2011, after a gap of 37 years, there were expectations that grassroot democracy will flourish again. Things started moving in the direction, but, alas, nothing happened like that afterwards as the then Government showed lackadaisical attitude towards PRIs. The functioning got happened as the Government did not implement 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which envisaged devolution of financial powers to PRIs. These PRIs received further blow when militants started killing Panches and Sarpanches for their vested interests.
Despite several hiccups, PRIs played an important role in over all development of the State at grassroot level. In case elections are not held for next five year term, it will be final blow to the existences of PRIs in the State. Not holding elections would mean loss of crores to the State exchequer, which it is entitled to under PRI system in the country.
Hope, the Government would hold elections to PRIs within stipulated time, and let gross institutions flourish once again in the State.
Yours etc…
Rohit Verma, Udhampur
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