AJKPC Delegation meets Centre’s Representative Dineshwar Sharma

AJKPC Delegation Meets Dineshwar Sharma, Demands Relief for NoKs of Martyred Panches, Sarpanches

Jammu, 25/Nov/2017: Today, a nine members delegation comprising  senior leaders of All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference led by its president Anil Sharma  today met with Central government’s representative Dineshwar Sharma here at Jammu and submitted a memorandum to him. The AJKPC president while giving details about the meeting informed that besides other demands, they have requested Dineshwar Sharma to convey it to the union government that the only solution to establish long term peace in the state is empowered and self sufficient Panchayati Raj institutes in the state. “The only solution to bring long term normalcy in the state, to bring a sense of belongingness amongst the people and to stimulate their trust and faith in the democratic process  can be achieved only by giving self-Sufficiency to the people at  ground  level which is possible only through empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions in the state and through uninterrupted regular panchayat and municipal elections”  the memorandum of the AJKPC reads. 

  They have also demanded  that union government must ensure that scheduled Panchayat and municipal  elections are held without any interruption irrespective of political dispensation. AJKPC also raised questions on the sincerity of the successive and present state government that did not hold municipal elections in the state that are pending for over 7 years now. Their demand also include implementation of  73^rd and 74^th amendments of the Indian constitution here in the state.  

They also alleged that neither the state nor union government came forward for welfare of the families of over 20 martyred Panchayat members who sacrificed their lives for democracy and demanded adequate monetary help for their family members besides giving permanent government job to their NoK.

Besides its president Anil Sharma, The AJKPC delegation included Goutam Singh Jamwal , Provinciall president, Raj kumar, provincial vice president  , Executive body members Ram Pal, Mohd Sadiq , Farooq Ahmd, Yashpal singh Charak, S. harvindr singh, S. Mehar singh.Expressing serious concern over the life threats to panchayat leaders for taking pro nationalistic and anti separatists stance,  the delegation also urged the center’s representative to take appropriate measure and ensure adequate security to the panchayat leaders so that in the upcoming elections they participate without any fear and encourage others to come forward for strengthening democracy.     

AJKPC Rejects Ordinance on Panchayati Raj

Avoid Confrontation on Panchayati Raj Ordinance: AJKPC to Govt

Hold Debate, Avoid Confrontation on Panchayati Raj Ordinance: AJKPC to Govt

Jammu, 05/Nov/2017: Amidst latest development of governor NN Vohra giving his assent to the controversial Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Ordinance 2017, the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference has reacted sharply and called it back stabbing by the state government to the democratic institution of Panchayati Rajs in the state.

Anil Sharma, President of the Conference in a written statement issued to the media called it ‘deceitful act’ of the PDP-BJP coalition government  because as per the amendments made in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj  through this ordinance the fundamental  right of the people of this state have been snatched where they could elect their panches and Sarpacnhes in electioneering process. He said now as per this ordinance the people won’t be able to elect their sarpanches and they would be able to cast their votes only to elect their ward panch and the sarpanches shall be further elected by the panches.

Sharma said this is’ unacceptable’, India is the largest democracy in the world but instead of further decentralising the powers to the people, the present coalition gpvernment is trying to take away power from millions of village voters and give it to few hundred panches which cannot be justified in any way.

Questioning the timing of holding Panchayat  elections in the state and expressing displeasure  the AJKPC president said this is not conducive time to hold elections in the state and if the state government really feels it is appropriate time then first of all they should hold elections for the Anantnag Parliamentary seat which is repeatedly deferred due to unfavourable law and order situation in the state. He also asked the state government to hold debate with  all the stake holders including their organization and other political parties  and avoid any confrontation to hold these important elections in any haste.

On the question of assassination of over 20 elected Panchayat representatives in the state during last over 6 years, Sharma said this also shows absolute failure of the state government in protecting the lives of ground level people who work for ensuing democracy in the state. He also said that within few days, AJKPC  shall hold meeting with all senior leaders of their organization in Kashmir and Jammu and then they may also announce further strategy of their organization.