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| MLAs versus Panchayats- government fails to define role | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 5: The failure of Omar Abdullah led coalition government to define the role of both Legislators and panchayats in the state, has finally rendered the Panchayats redundant as the MLAs sensing alienation are hindering the process of development.
The three tier Panchayat Raj in Jammu and Kashmir has crashed before it could take off. Legislators and the administration at district and block level have almost stalled the functioning of panchayats in the state. Panches and sarpanches on the other hand have started poking their nose in administrative affairs, more so, when the government has failed to define their role in the development of their respective areas.
Though the government has announced devolution of powers of about 14 government departments Including Rural Development, Agriculture Production Department, Animal & Sheep Husbandry Department, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department, Education Department, Fisheries Department, Forest Department, Health PHE, however, legislators have almost hampered the process .
The operational Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Raj Act being full of lacunas could not guide the government properly and as such the government very recently constituted an Empowerment Committee headed by Choudery Ramzan of National Conference. If sources are to be believed, the committee met here a couple of times but failed in formulating recommendations due to sharp difference of opinion in among the members of the committee.
However, Choudery Ramzan when contacted refuted the reports that there were differences between the members of the committee. " All the members, whether from PDP or NC or Panthers or for that matter BJP, are united and we are meeting within next couple days again" Ramzan told Early Times.
Choudery said that the role of Panchayats is already defined and they are exercising their powers efficiently, however, it is the legislator whose role is to be defined in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of this state.
"We have transferred the powers of 14 departments to the panchaysts and they are execising their powers, however, the powers of MLAs are to de redefined in accordance to the constitution" Ramzan said. Ruling out any sort of amendment in the J&K Panchayat Raj Act, Ramzan said that the existing act was comprehensive and there is no need to amend it. Denying that the conflict between MLAs and Panchayats has stalled the development process, Choudery Ramzan said that the Panchayats were efficiently exercising their powers and there was no question of encroachment of powers by the legislators.
"The monitoring of development schemes like Indira Awas Yojana, Integrated social security scheme, Integrated Child Development scheme, Indira Gandhi National old age, National Family Benefit Scheme, Indira Gandhi National Disable Persons scheme, Indira Gandhi National widow Pension scheme, Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Act, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Swaranjyanti Grameen Savrozgar Yojana, Total Sanitation Campaign, Identification of BPL beneficiate (AAY) and Mid Day Meals all have come under the ambit of panchayats" Ramzan said adding that we are in the process of three tier panchayat raj and the process will begin soon.
However, what is being witnessed on ground is that both MLAs and Sarpanches in a tussle of overstepping are interfering in development works resulting in delays in their execution. Phanchayats have turned political which can snowball into a major embarrassment if it does not go for defining the powers of elected representatives at each level. |
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