PDP tried to derail Panchayat polls, empowerment: Omar

Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH/RAJOURI, Nov 26: The working president of National Conference Omar Abdullah today said that PDP would crumble under its own skullduggery adding that falsehood and deceptive politics does not hold ground for long.
“The frustration of PDP leadership is visible through their statements and baseless propaganda against NC-Congress coalition”, said Omar while addressing Panchs and Sarpanchs in Rajouri and Poonch while adding that the masters of conspiracies and power hungry lot have anticipated their party’s doom.
“I want to ask anyone who is from the opposition to ask your leadership about the bill they passed in the Assembly in 2005″ asked Abdullah adding” In 2005 to supersede the Panchayats and to make them their stooges and puppets they introduced a bill under L.A.Bill No. 2 of 2005 to amend the Chapter 2 Section 9 of the Panchayat Raj Act 1989, which stated that the powers will vest in the Government to dissolve the then elected Panchayats”
“The plotter of the bill wanted to put the entire Panchayat Raj System at the disposal of the mercy of the Government whereby destroying the basic fabric and intent of the grass root democracy”, said Omar.
“The Governor did not give the bill an assent because we opposed it by saying that it is anti-people, anti-Panchayat and anti democratic,” he added
Addressing large gatherings of Panchs and Sarpanchs at Poonch and Rajouri, the working president of National Conference reminded them of the strong opposition PDP made to the holding of Panchayat elections in the State. He said the PDP was against the creation of Panchayat Raj in the State and put hurdles whenever they got occasion to derail Panchayat election and empowerment of Panchs and Sarpanchs.
Empowerment of Panchayats is our policy and commitment”, he said adding that a powerful and viable Panchayat Raj is only assured under NC-Congress coalition as both parties share the principle of empowerment of grass root democratic institutions.
Omar said that his Government took path breaking measures to make transparency rule the roost, bring the Government functioning under full public scan, empowered people to receive public services in a time bound manner , authorised common man to ask questions to administration on every issue besides bringing Chief Minister and Ministers under the preview of Accountability Commission.
Omar said that his Government constituted State Information Commission, reconstituted Accountability Commission, implemented Public Service Guarantee Act, established Panchayat Raj system, made e-tendering and e-procurement compulsory for Government departments, and made 3rd party monitoring of projects permanent feature for transparency.
“We do not use different cards for political gains. Our policy is lucid and clear for the development and peace of the State”, he said coalition is also for empowerment and welfare of woman in the State as such, it fielded a women candidate in Jammu province to exhibit its resolve in this regard.
Asking the Panchs and Sarpanchs to vote NC-Congress joint candidates for MLC seats, Omar said “They are your own candidates their working will be with you and their funds will be on your disposal”.