‘Panchayats, ULBs should establish as 3rd tier of Govt’
HM issues series of directions for development in J&K
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 27: Carrying forward his agenda of development in Jammu and Kashmir and empowerment of the people at grass-root level, Union Home Minister Amit Shah today declared that Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Body system should establish itself as third tier of the Government and the State should ensure that the civic bodies spend the funds given to them.
This and many more directions were passed by Shah on second day of his visit to Kashmir during which he reviewed developmental works at the high-level meeting and met senior BJP leaders and Panchayat members separately.
Shah directed that reservation benefits should be implemented vigorously for socially disadvantaged groups in the State and no posts should remain vacant.
An official statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs after the conclusion of first two-days visit of Shah to Jammu and Kashmir after taking charge of the Home Ministry quoted him as directing the State Government to ensure that newly established Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Body system takes deep roots and establishes itself as third tier of the Government.
“There should be a drive to ensure that Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies spend the funds given to them. The funds run into thousands of crores of rupees and ensuring their proper utilization would benefit the people,” the Home Minister said.
Referring to socially disadvantaged groups in the State such as Paharis, Gujjars, Bakarwals and other Economically Weaker Sections, he directed that the reservation benefits extended to them should be implemented vigorously and posts in these classes should go vacant.
In his brief address to senior BJP leaders at SKICC Srinagar, Shah, who also happens to be the BJP national president, told them that anti-India protesters won’t find the things easier in the Kashmir walley for them. He assured them that all steps are being taken to restore peace and normalcy in the Valley.
He reportedly referred to the corruption in Jammu and Kashmir and said the Central and State Governments would act tough against the corrupt practices to give clean administration to the people. Without naming anyone, he was understood to have stated that certain sections of leaders have fooled the people but the BJP would work for balanced development of all three regions.
BJP national vice president Avinash Rai Khanna, Ravinder Raina, State president, Dr Nirmal Singh, Speaker Assembly, Ashok Koul, Organizing Secretary, Kavinder Gupta, former Deputy Chief Minister and former MLAs, MLCs and all office bearers of the party were present at the meeting.
Shah met relatives of BJP leaders martyred by the militants.
The Home Minister also had one-to-one meeting with Governor Satya Pal Malik during which they discussed wide ranging issues related to equitable growth and development of the State.
In his inter-action with Sarpanchs and Panchs, Shah is reported to have said that two major regional political parties betrayed the people by not holding the Panchayat elections and when they were announced, they boycott them. However, he said, the Central Government and the State administration successfully conducted the Local Body elections and would empower them to the maximum possible extent.
The Panchayat members reportedly demanded implementation of 73rd and 74th Amendments of the Constitution of India in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Gujjars and Bakerwals demanded political reservations to them, which were denied by the successive Government and also highlighted various other issues.
“Today’s review of development programmes by the Home Minister focused on improving the lives of the common man. The review covered a wide range of issues connected with improving economic conditions of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, providing them with employment and livelihood opportunities, benefits of social security schemes, and raising their incomes. The review included among other issues the good governances, accelerating development, fast tracking of Prime Minister’s Development Package, building first rate infrastructure, inclusive growth for all communities, balanced regional development with special emphasis on employment generation and reaching out to the youth,” the MHA statement said.
It added: “The Union Home Minister’s focus was primarily on ensuring that the benefits of growth and development reach the poorest of the poor”. He asked the State Government to focus on better and more efficient implementation of development schemes so that corruption and leakages are plugged and the citizens to get the intended benefits.
“The State Government should ensure that old age, disability and widow pensions reach all those entitled to these schemes, in a timely manner. There should be a quick scrutiny of all eligible people who are left out and ensuring that they are included. The Central Government will ensure additional funds for the purposes, Shah said.
Pointing out that the Dairy and Animal Husbandry sectors have great potential in Jammu and Kashmir, the Home Minister said the State should work towards signing an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amul or Mother Dairy and create a programme for ensuring that it becomes surplus in this sector. This is a sector whose benefits would flow to even small households.
“The Poultry sector too has great potential with the State importing large volumes of poultry products. The State should create schemes for improving the poultry sector as this sector improves the livelihoods of the poorest. The Central Government would support efforts in this direction,” the MHA statement said quoting Shah.
The statement said the Handloom and Handicraft Sectors are the brightest spots on J&K’s economic landscape.
“But the potential in this has not been fully captured. The State should take the help of the Khadi & Village Industries, MSME and Textiles departments of the Central Government to improve nearly 40 various spheres in this sector. The growth of this sector would increase employment and livelihoods of poor households,” it added.
Asserting that the women being the key to any development process need to be at the centre of all programmes, Shah said the State should work in this direction so that women can get better employment opportunities and livelihoods.
Similarly, he added, the State should prepare a programme for reaching out to the youth who are highly skilled such as MBBS, Engineers, MBAs etc. and do not have gainful employment or livelihood.
“State officers should be fully sensitive towards balanced development of all the three regions, – Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh,” the MHA statement said.
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