Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 9: The basic democratic institutions of Panchayats were the worst affected in the State during the PDP-BJP ten months rule, due to the approach of centralization and usurpation of their powers by the ruling class.
“The ten months of PDP-BJP rule witnessed erosion, encroachment and usurpation of routine power of Panchayats by the legislators and ruling class making the existing Panchayat Raj system virtually defunct and non-existent,” PCC chief spokesman Ravinder Sharma in a statement said here today.
Mr Sharma said that the even developmental plans of Panchayats were altered, interfered and dictated by the legislators on whose behest even MGNREGA and BADP funds were allocated, thus encroaching upon the autonomy and normal functioning of Panchayats, during this period.
Citing an instance, he said that the elected head of Panchayat (Sarpanch) who used to head the village education committees in their respective jurisdictions, were subjected to the jurisdiction of officials, who were made heads of the committee with Sarpanchs as members.
Congress party established PR system in the country to decentralize and devolve powers to the lowest level with further strengthening the PRI’s through 73rd and 74th amendment under the leadership of late Rajiv Gandhi, which ensured reservation of 33% to women besides SC/STs as per population, in the grass root institutions of democracy. It was the result of Congress struggle that finally all good provisions of the Central legislation were incorporated in the State Panchayat laws, in March 2014 under NC- Congress regime.
The Congress leader said that the fresh election to the PRIs in the State would lead to establishment of a full fledged Panchayat Raj System in the State as per, amended provision of laws and further strengthen democracy at the grass root level in the State.
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