Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 26: Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary, Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami today demanded de-linking of the Panchayats from the political process and said that the mandate of the Panchayats is development of the people living in rural and far-off areas.
Addressing a press conference here this afternoon, Tarigami said that the Panchs and Sarpanchs have no role or jurisdiction in deciding the ultimate resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue. He said that these elected representatives were swayed away by the deceptive slogans as raised by the mainstream politicians and thus they became vulnerable to the attacks.
“The mandate and the aim of the Panchayats is to serve people in the villages so that the basic problems of the people are solved. However, it was not the case in the State as an impression was being given that the elected representatives have a say in the final dispensation of the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Panchayats are not law making bodies and at the same time they are not entitled to take any political decision,” Tarigami added.
“It is the responsibility of both the mainstream and separatist leaders to make it clear that Panchs and Sarpanchs are meant to solve the basic problems of people and not to suggest solution of political problems. People approach Panchs and Sarpanchs for their daily problems and how can one expect these elected representatives to decide the future of people living in the State,” said Tarigami.
Tarigami expressed his displeasure that despite the holding of Panchayat elections on non-party basis the political parties have started claiming that Panchs and Sarpanchs belong to them. He said there should be least interference of the Government in the functioning of the Panchayats.
“As of now there is too much interference of the Government in the affairs of the Panchayats. The existing Panchayati Raj Act of the State is less democratic and more regressive. There is no provision for election of women in the Panchayats and the Government has the powers to nominate vice-chairmen to the block development councils,” Tarigami added.
Tarigami demanded that the nomination system should be done away with and proper democratic system should be followed in the proper functioning of the Panchayati Raj system in the State. He said Panchs and Sarpanchs should be paid honorarium.
He further said that decentralization of powers is imperative for successful governance in the State.
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