AJKPC Demands Delimitation of Panchayat Halqas

 AJKPC Demands Delimitation of Panchayat Halqas

AJKPC Organises  'Panchayat Samelan' in District Bandipore

Bandipore, 31 December 2025: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) today organised a 'Panchayat Samelan' programme in district Bandipore, which was attended by District Development Council (DDC) members, former BDC Chairpersons, Panchayat representatives and senior leaders of the organisation.

The programme was presided over by Anil Sharma, President, AJKPC, while Dr. Mustafa, DDC Member, Bandipore, attended the event as the Guest of Honour.

Addressing the gathering, AJKPC President Anil Sharma urged the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to conduct delimitation of Panchayat Halqas before holding Panchayat elections, stating that there exists a huge mismatch in population and geographical area among several Panchayats across the Union Territory.

In his address, Dr. Mustafa welcomed the AJKPC President to Kashmir and appreciated the consistent efforts of the organisation in strengthening both urban local bodies and rural local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir. Other DDC members from Bandipore, including Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather, Nazia Begum, Farzil Shoaib, Bashir Ahmed Baba and Bazir Ahmed Rather, assured full support to AJKPC.

Mohammad Safi Khan, Ex Sarpanch  Bandipore, thanked the participants for their overwhelming response and for the warm and grand welcome accorded to the AJKPC President in the district.

During the programme, former BDC Chairpersons Nazir Ahmed Rather, Gulshan Begum and Hari Begum also addressed the gathering and strongly advocated for amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, particularly with regard to the provisions related to the No Confidence Motion. They stated that this provision has increasingly become a tool of unnecessary pressure and harassment, hanging like a sword over elected BDC Chairpersons and Sarpanches, thereby hampering the smooth functioning of local self-government institutions.

Several senior AJKPC leaders also spoke on the occasion and reaffirmed their resolve to remain united under the banner of the organisation to safeguard the rights and dignity of elected representatives. They appealed to the elected MLAs to raise these genuine concerns before the government and stressed that Panchayat elections should be held on time, after the completion of the tenure of the District Development Councils, with elections for all three tiers conducted simultaneously.

 Former Sarpanches and Panches, including Mohd Maqbool, Mehraj, Razia, Muzaffar, Anwar, Fiaz Ahmed, Basir Malik, Nazir Ahmed, Fatima Begum, and others also graced the occasion.

Rural Population Concerned over VB-G RAM G: AJKPC

 Rural Population Concerned over VB-G RAM G: AJKPC

AJKPC Expresses Concern over Repeal of MGNREGA

Pulwama, 29 December 2025: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), a premier registered organisation working for the strengthening of grassroots-level democracy in Jammu and Kashmir, has expressed serious concern over the repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which had been providing guaranteed employment to rural households for more than two decades.

Anil Sharma, President of the AJKPC, while addressing a programme organised by the Panchayat Conference in the Kakapora area of Pulwama district, said that rural communities are apprehensive about the effectiveness and sustainability of the newly introduced rural employment scheme, VB-G RAM G (Viksit Bharat – Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin) Act. He stated that the sudden transition from a well-established scheme to a new  one  has created uncertainty among job seekers in rural areas.

Sharma expressed disappointment that the Government did not undertake adequate consultation with key stakeholders before replacing MGNREGA.  

According to AJKPVC President this lack of dialogue has resulted in confusion at the grassroots level.  

Without commenting on the controversy surrounding the name or branding of the new scheme, the AJKPC President asserted that the real concern of rural people is not political messaging but livelihood security. “For villagers, what truly matters is the availability of employment at their doorstep, timely payment of wages, and strict adherence to the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act,” he said.

Sharma emphasised that MGNREGA carried a legacy of more than twenty years and, despite certain shortcomings, largely succeeded in providing employment within villages and panchayats. He noted that the scheme played a significant role in reducing rural-to-urban migration by enabling families to sustain themselves in their native places.

He added that when employment is generated locally, it not only supports individual families but also strengthens the rural economy and social fabric. AJKPC, he said, urged the authorities to address pending dues, ensure transparency, and safeguard the interests of rural workers during any policy transition.

Clear Air on Appointment of Advocate General: AJKPC

 Clear Air on Appointment of Advocate General: AJKPC

Jammu, 25/Dec/2025: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), has expressed serious concern over the continued delay in the appointment of an Advocate General for the Union Territory.

Reacting to recent media reports based on a RTI reply, AJKPC noted that the last Advocate General had reportedly submitted his resignation nearly a year ago yet it is not accepted and the J & K government has failed to take any final decision on the matter so far.

Anil Sharma, President of AJKPC, stated that the post of Advocate General is a key constitutional position and prolonged uncertainty regarding such an important office is not in the larger public interest. He urged the government to clear the ambiguity at the earliest and ensure timely institutional decisions to maintain administrative efficiency and public confidence.

“The office of the AG acts as a vital bridge between the judiciary and the executive. Vacancy in such a high constitutional office is not in the interest of our Judicial system” Sharma remarked. He further added that there is no dearth of competent legal minds in Jammu and Kashmir to fill this crucial position.

Sharma also urged the Union Home Ministry to intervene in the matter for immediate appointment of a new AG.

AJKPC Asks Govt to encourage Social Audit of Developmental Projects in J&K

 AJKPC Asks Govt to encourage  Social Audit of  Developmental Projects in J&K  

Jammu, 20/12/2025 : All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), a registered organization working for strengthening grass root level democracy in J & K  has urged the UT government to encourage social audits for major development projects across the Union Territory.

Explaining the social audits, Anil Sharma President of the AJKPC stated “A social audit is like a community check up. It means local people themselves review government work, like road construction or welfare programs to see if the money was spent correctly and if the project was done well”

AJKPC President said that when people monitor projects, it fixes responsibility early. This public check helps stop the misuse of funds and supports agencies like the Anti Corruption Bureau and Vigilance Organization and CBI.

AJKPC explained that these audits allow villagers to verify the quality of work, how funds were used, and who the real beneficiaries are. This can identify problems before they become formal complaints. It keeps a check on the corruption also and make the system accountable.

Sharma warned that without these checks, complaints increase and agencies are forced to act only later. Social audits focus on prevention and prevention is always better than the cure.

He demanded the J&K government order all senior officers to conduct regular social audits with panchayats and locals. The results must be made public, and issues must be fixed quickly.

AJKPC stated that social audits strengthen democracy, build public trust, and ensure clean governance. When communities keep watch, corruption decreases.

 

Sd/-

Anil Sharma,    

President, AJKPC.                                                                                                                                                            Mob: 94191-86510.                                                                                                                                      

Clear Pending Dues of Retirees, Contractors’ Payments: AJKPC

Jammu,15/December/2025: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference

(AJKPC), a registered organisation working to strengthen grass-root level democracy
in Jammu and Kashmir, has urged the J&K Government to immediately clear all
pending dues of retired government employees and release long-pending payments to
contractors.
Expressing serious concern over the issue, Anil Sharma, President of AJKPC, said it is
deeply painful that legitimate bills continue to remain pending in various treasuries
across Jammu and Kashmir for months on end. He stated that retired employees, after
serving the government for decades with sincerity and dedication, are forced to wait
endlessly for their pensionary benefits, gratuity, and arrears, causing them and their
families undue financial and mental stress.
The AJKPC President further stated that small and medium contractors, who have
executed developmental works in good faith, are also facing severe hardships due to
the non-release of their payments. Many contractors are unable to clear bank loans,
pay labourers, or manage day-to-day expenses, leading to a slowdown in
developmental activities at the grass-root level.
Anil Sharma emphasized that the timely payment of these dues is neither a favour nor
a concession, but a legal and moral obligation of the government. He added that
repeated assurances without concrete action have only worsened the situation and
shaken public confidence in the administrative system.
He demanded that the government establish a time-bound and transparent mechanism
for the clearance of all pending liabilities, including proper monitoring at departmental
and treasury levels. He also called for fixing accountability for officers responsible for
unnecessary delays in processing and releasing payments.
The AJKPC appealed to the Lieutenant Governor, Chief Minister and Chief Secretary
to take immediate and compassionate steps to resolve the issue so that retired
employees can live with dignity and contractors can function smoothly, thereby
ensuring uninterrupted development and sustaining trust at the grass-root level.

AJKPC Asks Omar to Fill Vacant Cabinet Seats for Smooth Governance

 Overworked Ministers Hurting Administration in J & K: AJKPC

Why CM Omar Hesitant to Expand His Council of Ministers, Asks AJKPC

Jammu, 04/Dec/ 2025: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) today raised strong concern over the increasingly overburdened administration in the Union Territory, directly attributing it to a severe shortage of ministers in the Council of Ministers.

 In a press conference AJKPC President, Anil Sharma, appealed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to immediately expand his ministerial team by filling all vacant posts to ensure smooth and efficient governance.

Sharma highlighted the huge workload on the administration, noting that a mere six ministers, including the Chief Minister, are currently responsible for governing Jammu and Kashmir's population of approximately 1.5 crore. Such a small cabinet is handling two big administrative divisions, 20 districts, more than 100 departments, Public Sector Undertakings and corporations, 207 tehsils, and about 6,800 villages.

Sharma stated " This situation can’t work anymore , each minister is burdened with five to six critical departments. No individual, however efficient, can provide the necessary attention, review, timely decision-making, and field supervision that each of these portfolios demands. This leads to delays, poor monitoring and files piling up everywhere and ultimately, public suffering in cities, villages of Kashmir and Jammu.

The AJKPC leader questioned the political reason behind the delay in expansion of council of minister. "With 41 MLAs in an 90-member House, the National Conference (NC) has a comfortable strength. Yet, for over a year, the Chief Minister has chosen not to use the full strength ( nine minister) allowed under the Constitution, he said.

Citing constitutional provisions, Sharma clarified that the law permits a Union Territory to have a Council of Ministers comprising up to 10% of the total Legislative Assembly strength. With 90 members, this allows for a team of up to nine ministers, including the Chief Minister. He also referred to Section 53 of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which enshrines this provision.

There is there is no legal or administrative hurdle at all for this prolonged hesitation. The legal framework is clear, and the administrative need is urgent, Sharma asserted.

He further reminded the Chief Minister that the NC possesses a pool of honest, young, educated, and experienced MLAs who are worthy of induction into the ministry. For reasons best known to him, the Chief Minister is keeping his cards close to his chest.

Sharma also made a veiled reference to the recent bye-election results, where the NC lost one seat, bringing its tally down to 41, while other parties held or improved their position.

AJKPC Condemns CM–LG Dispute Over JKPSC Age Relaxation Issue

AJKPC demands Appointment of Liaison Officer between CM & LG Office 

 Jammu, 08/Dec/2025: The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) has expressed serious concern over the way the JKPSC age-relaxation matter turned into a public dispute between the Chief Minister’s Office and the Lieutenant Governor’s Office.

Anil Sharma, President of AJKPC, said this controversy was completely avoidable and has exposed a clear gap in communication between the top offices of the administration. At a time when youth, civil services aspirants were waiting for clarity, it was unfortunate to see both offices engaging in a sort of social media exchange to shift blame instead of resolving the issue.

AJKPC feels that both offices are responsible for the lack of coordination that led to unnecessary confusion among aspirants. 

Thousands of young candidates had prepared for the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE) with hope, but the uncertainty created in the final hours caused stress and disappointment. Many felt helpless because they did not know what decision would finally come.

Sharma also criticised the JKPSC for remaining silent when candidates were repeatedly seeking clear information. 

Sharma said the Commission should have been more active in sharing updates. Waiting till the last moment only increased anxiety, which is unfair to the youth who already struggle with limited opportunities.

The AJKPC leader urged the government to appoint a Liaison Officer between the CM’s Office and Raj Bhavan to ensure smoother communication and prevent such situations in future.