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| Panchayats grope for their role in democracy as govt fails to devolve powers on them | | | Bharat Bhushan
Jammu, Apr 20: Despite the oft-repeated Government assurances that it was committed to devolve powers upon the elected panchs and sarpanchs, they continue to be "powerless". Their role in the State's development process is yet not defined by the Government.
According to a senior block officer, panchayat members have been interfering in their almost every work, saying it is part of their duty. "This can lead to a problem, or even a clash if the officials refuse to cooperate with them," he said.
He felt that the Government ought to come true to its commitment by ensuring devolution of powers to panchayats. "Once their role is defined, they will confine themselves to it and not try to encroach upon other areas," he added.
Panchs and sarpanchs had also raised the issue of empowering them by holding conventions across the State after their election to panchayats. Even a threat was issued to the Government of a statewide agitation in case powers, under panchayati raj, were not transferred to them.
Their threat had worked and piled up pressure on the Government, forcing rural development and panchayati raj Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar to issue a statement in a joint meeting of panchs, sarpanchs and senior officers of various departments at Ganderbal on March 26 last that "the Government will leave no stone unturned in devolving powers on them."
Even as he had told the meeting that the State Cabinet, in its decision had empowered panchs and sarpanchs to monitor the functioning of 14 departments of public importance including rural development, PHE and social welfare, nothing had been conveyed to them in written, or through the officials of these departments, some panchayat members said.
While warning the officers of any laxity in implementing the cabinet decision, Sagar had also instructed RDD director to release Rs 1 cr for each panchayat.
He had also stated on December 1 last that panchs and sarpanchs had been empowered to impose fine under anti-tobacco act.
Meanwhile, the alleged official delay in providing powers to panchs and sarpanchs had evoked strong criticism from various quarters. More than 35,000 panchs and sarpanchs were elected in the State in the polls held last year.
Elections were initially fought on non-party basis. However, after the results were declared, various mainstream parties claimed that their candidates had emerged victorious.
Official sources said MLAs in many areas were not in favour of giving full-fledged powers to panchayats.
"MLAs feel that if panchayats are empowered, they will become irrelevant as no one will come to them with their problems," the sources added.
The panchayat members have, however, demanded their empowerment at par with the panchayats of Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan by implementing 73rd amendment of Indian constitution. |
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