Urge LG for powers of administrative approval
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, July 15: Seeking powers to DDC Councils for administrative approval and a dedicated Finance Commission for financial needs of the Panchayat Raj Institutions, Chairpersons of District Development Councils today complained to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha about alleged bureaucratic inertia.
During an hour-long meeting with the Lt Governor at Raj Bhawan in Jammu, the delegation of DDC Chairpersons apprised him of the difficulties being faced by them because of alleged non-cooperation by some officers and overlapping of responsibilities.
On request of the visiting DDC Chairpersons, the Lt Governor is learnt to have principally agreed for personally holding monthly meeting with representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and listen to their issues and suggestions for further strengthening PRIs in Jammu and Kashmir .
Besides highlighting their district specific developmental issues, sources said that DDC Chairpersons also demanded personal staff to them, PSOs for security, accommodation and protocol etc.
While elaborating, sources told the Excelsior that some DDC Chairpersons alleged bureaucratic inertia and lack of coordination by some officers. Lamenting inadequate response on part of the administration during emergency situations like power failure, floods and closure of roads etc, DDC Chairperson suggested sensitizing of officers for proper coordination between the administration and elected representatives to ensure effective functioning of the PRIs.
Suggesting that there should be a dedicated Finance Commission for financial needs of PRIs, the delegation also stressed for powers to DDC Councils to accord administrative approval.
Saraf Singh, Chairperson DDC Reasi, suggested that 50 percent funds should be earmarked for Panchayats, 30 percent for Block Development Councils and 20 percent for DDCs. He also demanded that some untied funds should also be allocated to DDCs.
Bharat Bhushan, Chairperson DDC Jammu also stressed for more powers and adequate funds to PRIs for ensuring implementation of Panchayti Raj system in true spirit. He said that a DDC Chairperson should have power to accord administrative approval to the projects costing up to Rs 5 crores.
Juhi Pathania, Vice-Chairperson, DDC Udhampur, submitted a separate memorandum also to the Lt Government highlighting various developmental issues of Udhampur, including construction of some bridges, roads , National Highway from Sudh Mahadev upto Ramnagar (Roun Domel) via Dudu, Basantgarh, Kalwanta and taking -over of Shri Chountra Mata and Shri Pingla Mata temples by Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
The visiting delegation also comprised of Keshav Dutt Sharma; Chairman DDC Samba; Koushal Kotwal, Chairman DDC Doda and Subash Chander, Member DDC Samba.
The members of the delegation shared their inputs and suggestions, and put forth their demands by submitting a memorandum to the Lt Governor pertaining to various administrative measures that can be taken to optimize the planning and execution process at the grassroots level, besides highlighting the pertinent issues of their respective constituencies.
Meanwhile, a delegation of BDC Chairpersons, led by Arun Kumar Sharma, Chairman, BDC Sunderbani, also met the Lt Governor and apprised him about various issues pertaining to the promotion of tourism sector in the region, electrification of SC/ST habitations, installation of Solar lights, upgradation of grid stations and health facilities with adequate doctors and nursing staff.
The other members of the delegation including Surinder Kumar, Chairman, BDC Marh; Brijeshwar Singh, Chairman, BDC Barnoti; Sanjeet Kumar, Chairman, BDC Jaganoo; Shafiq Mir, Chairman, BDC Buffliaz among others, also highlighted the issues and concerns of public importance of their respective areas, and sought intervention of the Lt Governor to address the same.
The Lt Governor while interacting with the members of the delegations underscored that the Government is taking several objective steps including training of elected representatives, adoption of best practices to make the institutions of DDCs and BDCs more vibrant and impactful for the benefit of common people.
The Lt Governor assured the members that all their inputs, suggestions would be looked into meticulously for incorporating them in the Government policies, besides the demands and issues put forth would be taken up with the concerned authorities for their speedy redressal on merit.
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