Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 3: Movement for Peace, Equality & Justice (MPEJ) has expressed great disappointment over holding of 2nd Tier and 3rd Tier elections without making amendments in the state Panchayati Raj Act.
In a joint statement issued here today, the MPEJ members, Ram Singh Chauhan and Kuldeep Kumar Rao said that firstly, under the present system any competent, honest and educated person cannot nominate himself or herself for the office of Block Development Council Chairman unless he or she is a Panch or Sarpanch. This rider needs immediate amendment because the present lots of Panchs or Sarpanchs have no or little educational qualification with zero experience of governance. Secondly, at present, about 1043 Panchayats are vacant without Panchs or Sarpanch. Moreover these elections have unofficially been fought on party basis with due reservation to women belonging to SC / ST category. This clearly mean that government is interested to induct those male or Female Panchs or Sarpanchs who are loyal, faithful and true to the salt of their masters and under these circumstances we are sure to have an assembly of Chairpersons in the District Planning & Development Boards who are either loyal to their Party bosses or to their respective husbands in case of women. Therefore, the duo strongly feel that under such circumstances an attempt has been made to keep the talented, experienced, qualified and honest persons out of the game denying democratic rights to the bonafide and genuine candidates. |
