JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet today approved extending provisions of the 73rd constitutional amendment to the state for empowering panchayati raj institutions, fulfilling a demand of Congress and Opposition.
Congress, which is part of the ruling alliance, was quick to claim victory after a Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took the decision with the party noting that its Vice President Rahul Gandhi had been vociferously raising the demand.
“Provisions of the 73rd amendment (of the Constitution) have been approved in full spirits. All the provisions, which were demanded by Congress, have been implemented in letter and spirit. It is victory of Congress and AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi,” Tourism Minister G A Mir said.
Congress and the opposition BJP had been demanding inclusion of 73rd Amendment which would give decision making and financial powers to panchayats. It gives panchayats autonomy in planning and execution of development work and utilisation of funds.
The demand was fuelled after panchayat elections were successfully conducted in the state in 2011 after three decades.
Responding to the demands, Omar had recently said that a “fully empowered panchayat system in the state is my goal”.
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) chief spokesman Ravinder Sharma today welcomed the decision.
“Congress has finally won a long drawn battle over implementation of the 73rd amendment in J&K to empower panchayati raj institutions,” Sharma said.
The JKPCC chief spokesperson said, “We thank the state Cabinet and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for it. We also congratulate state Congress chief Saif-uddin Soz for the victory today.”
The Congress leadership, including AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi, General Secretaries Ambika Soni and Ghulam Nabi Azad, batted strongly for implementation of the 73rd amendment in Jammu and Kashmir. Even Youth Congress had held protests against the Omar government for its failure to implement the 73rd and 74th amendments in J&K.
Pitching strongly for empowerment of panchayati raj institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi had at a rally here on November 6 promised panches and sarpanches that they would definitely get their rights.
“I want to promise you (panchayat members)that in near future you will get the rights. We have maintained pressure in this issue and we will definitely implement the 73rd and 74th amendments here,” Gandhi said at a Panchayati Raj Conference of Jammu region here on November 6.
On February 1 this year, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said, “We are convinced about the provisions of the 73rd amendment which is beneficial for the J&K. We have already included some provisions that includes finance Commission and Election commission.”
“The bill (on 73rd amendment) in this direction is ready. It will be brought in the next cabinet meeting before the Assembly session. In the Assembly, these amendments will be passed and it will further strengthen the Panchayati Raj System in the state,” Omar said.
Maintaining that the National Conference was not against the implementation of the 73rd amendment, Law Minister and senior NC leader Mir Saif Ullah had on January 29 said, “We have finalised the proposal (on 73rd amendment bill of PRI Act). The bill will go to Assembly and will be passed.” (AGENCIES)
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