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MLAs are vital tools…have a role to play: Sagar
'Empowering Panchayats won't undermine their authority'
3/13/2012 11:21:54 PM
Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 13 : In a reassuring tone and tenor indicating that MLAs were all powerful and nobody could substitute their 'role and functioning' , the government today sought to dispel apprehensions and fears nourished by them with regard to empowerment of Panchayats and independent powers being given to newly elected Sarpaches and Panches . Rural Development and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar today said even as the Omar Abdullah led coalition government sticks to its commitment and is taking steps in direction of empowering the Panchayats , it would in no way undermine or reduce the authority of the MLAs. " There are some apprehensions with regard to powers among the MLAs……an impression is being created that they would lose powers once the Panchayats start functioning and taking decisions on their own…..but we assure you that is not going to happen……MLAs have their own role and importance and they are in fact a strong pillar in the democratic system", Sagar said while replying to discussion in the Assembly over the grants for the departments he is in charge of. Apparently, in an attempt to clarify the doubts and fears which some members expressed while participating in the debate as also in the background of some friction between the MLAs and newly elected representatives of Panchayats during the past few months over defining and determining their 'roles', the NC leader repeatedly made mention of the expression as 'unfounded' in so far as these apprehensions were concerned. Sagar said MLAs were like 'weapons' and instead of distancing or nourishing anything wrong, they must strengthen the ties and relations with the newly elected representatives at the ground level. "The basic idea of putting Panhayati Raj in place is to make people at the ground level feel independent of taking small decisions of day to day requirements……there is nothing wrong in that and MLAs should not think it as their significance would be lowered or minimized…..more than the role of a minister I myself take pride in inbeing an MLA first", the Rural Development Minister said adding that he works in capacity of the MLA for the betterment of the people in his constituency . In order to bridge the ties , the minister asked the MLAs and cooperate with the government, different ministries on one hand and the Panches , Sarpanches on the other hand so that the new system could be 'strengthened and mechanism be made functional'."There are many loopholes and shortcomings……..in fact there are critical gaps in some areas which have to be plugged and it is here MLAs have a big role….", Sagar said while admitting that things were not completely desirable and smooth with respect to implementation of NREGA and other schemes where he admitted that complaints have been registered . " I admit that despite government's attempts to make system transparent and accountable there are some black sheep who indulge in corrupt practices……it is here the MLAs have to be vigilant to check such practices". The firebrand leader who is otherwise seen with tough and hard postures in making statements , while addressing and pointing towards MLAs in the opposition benches looked soft and amiable and said in an reassuring tone," how can your role be ignored or undermined……..I feel educated and impressed by the contents of some MLAs……I hear them with rapt attention and sometimes I am forced to change my opinion after hearing them over various issues", Sagar said in a friendly tone.
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