Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 1: Pradesh Congress Committee has questioned that if the situation is conducive for BDC elections, why sixty percent of seats of Panchayat members numbering 12052, which are vacant in Kashmir valley have not been filled up during past 10 months since last Panchayat elections to give them right to vote in these polls.
In a press statement here today, JKPCC chief spokesperson, Ravinder Sharma questioned that when BDC polls can be held, why such a whopping number of Panchayat seats were not sent to polls, during past over 10 months since Panchayat elections, so that larger participation of stakeholders could have been ensured. It was a matter of three to four weeks only to conduct these elections, as the situation is totally under control of the Government these days. Those who could not contest out of fear from terrorists could have participated this time. Besides all those behind boycott calls, are also under detention.
He expressed satisfaction that for the first time more than 8300 women have returned elected in these Panchayat elections due to 73rd Amendment which was incorporated in the state during NC-Congress regime in 2014.
Similarly, SCs/STs have been elected in good number as per their population, only due to 73rd Amendment. Again, it was due to 73rd Amendment that 1/3rd of BDC seats are reserved in this election or BDCs for women and for SCs/STs as per their population. It has become possible only due to incorporation of the best provisions of 73rd Amendment during NC-Congress rule in 2014 and Congress struggled in the State for implementation of 73rd Amendment.
However, he targeted BJP-PDP for diluting certain provisions of 73rd Amendment by again amending the State Panchayat Raj Act. The Congress-NC Government had incorporated the provision of setting up of a completely Independent Election Commission in terms of 73rd Amendment but it was diluted. The power of delimitation and determination and reservation of seats was also required to be done by the Commission to remove any undue interference or influence of ruling party and other influential elements but is was undone by the PDP-BJP Government, which had also brought a retrograde amendment of indirect election of Sarpanchs but was later nullified by then Governor NN Vohra.
“Unfortunately the BJP now claims to be champion of the Panchayat Raj System, but reality is that BJP has weakened the Panchayat Raj System during its rule. During last 10 months no funds were provided to Panchayats in J&K,” he added.
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