Early Times Report
JAMMU, Oct 5: Welcoming the decision of the State Administration to conduct elections to the Block Development Councils in the state, Brig Anil Gupta, State Spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party has said that these will lead to strengthening the grassroot level democracy in the state. The elections were held in 2011 also, necessary amendments were also made to the Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act 1989, to incorporate provisions of the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India, but the entire exercise was a sham because the will to devolve power to the grassroots level workers was missing, accused Brig Gupta.
However, the present government under the President's Rule headed by Satya Pal Malik and guided by the Central government is determined to ensure that the Panchayati Raj System is firmly rooted so that the governments in future cannot use their discretion to thwart their successful functioning, stated Brig Gupta.
Never in the past elections were held beyond the Panchayat level though the 1989 Act promulgated three tier system. Appealing to those who are objecting to holding of elections as per the act of 1989 and not the 73rd Amendment Brig Gupta clarified, "After the reorganization of the State on October 31, as per Article 243L of the 73rd Amendment which has been included in the Part IX of the Constitution, the provisions of Part IX shall apply to all Union Territories." Moreover, the provisions of 73rd Amendment have been implemented by providing reservations for the SC/ST and women since 1989 Act catered for reservations only for women and that too up to election of Panchs only.
In any case, after, October 31, once the JKUT is formed, necessary amendments to the 1989 Act will be done to ensure in Toto compliance of the 73rd Amendment as incorporated in Part IX of the Constitution. |
