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| 'Impediments' removed for holding three tier Panchayat polls | | Congress concerns addressed on 'assurances'…..? | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Feb 9: It is official now. The J&K state will witness holding of Panchayat elections this year nearly after a decade. The impediments in terms of Congress demands for holding polls have also been removed- thanks to the cabinet sub committee that prepared a report claiming to have agreed with consensus what Congress was seeking. The report came in for discussion today in the cabinet meeting which finally paved way for the government to declare conducting of elections for three tier panchayat system. The formal approval has been given to conducting the elections on non party basis. The big question still remains have the Congress concerns been actually addressed …?
The vital decisions related to holding of polls were taken was in Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah with Congress appearing to be content that even though their drum beaten demand of incorporating the 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments have not been agreed to by the National Conference, but most of their concerns on similar lines have been addressed. True as it may sound with optimism exhibited by most of Congress ministers, some of whom were the members of the sub panel but a careful study of the approvals granted to decisions in today's meeting only show that procedural steps would follow in accordance with the provisions of the existing law of the state. Holding of the polls on non party basis was no issue at all as both alliance partners had much earlier consented the same.
It is also a fact that NC has led the Congress into believing that incorporating the two amendments were not possible and in their place the steps would be taken that would ensure empowerment as an alternative. The fact also remains that Congress has been convinced by the ruling ally that certain alternative steps would be taken in due course with issuance of an ordinance and a piece of legislation in the forthcoming session and some demands would be met after the polls are over but at this point of time these are only verbal assurances which may not necessarily see fulfillment in run upto preparations for panchayat polls.
The Congress ministers who were members of the sub committee maintain their concerns have been addressed with regard to Finance Commission, separate election commission and more importantly the empowerment of the Vice chairman of District Development Board . However, as of now the party has been assured that a process would be st into motion soon. Creation of State Finance Commission, powers of the Vice-Chairman of
District Planning and Development Board and reduction of the age for eligibility to become a member of Halqa Panchayat from 25 years to 21 years on the lines of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, were the main point of differences between the Coalition partners. All these points have been albeit addressed only with assurances with no substance even in today's cabinet meeting in the approvals granted to the decisions. It is for Congress to see follow up action on assurances made by the government and ensure whatever has been agreed to by the cabinet sub committee is adhered to in letter and spirit. |
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