Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 14: The Jammu and Kashmir Gujjar United Front (GUF) has strongly condemned the State Government for not implementing the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India and making amendment in the J&K Panchayati Raj Act of 1989.
Addressing a press conference here today, the Front leader Shah Mohammed Choudhary said that State Government has started the process of elections of the Block Development Councils but has not provided reservation to the backward classes in the State. He said the Front leaders convened a meeting of Sarpanchs and Panchs besides other prominent leaders of the community here today to discuss the issue of providing reservation to the SCs, STs and other backward classes in the Block Council elections.
The GUF leader pointed out that basic purpose behind the incorporation of 73rd Amendment in the Constitution of India was to decentralize powers and authority to the Panchayats, particularly in favour of SCs, STs, OBCs and women but unfortunately no reservation has been provided to them so far. He said the participants in the meeting have urged the Chief Minister to withdraw the notification of elections and get an ordinance issued and incorporation of 73rd Amendment in the State Panchayati Raj Act to provide reservation to the weaker section of the society.
The Gujjar leader said that holding elections without reservation in the BDCs would be a cruel joke with the STs as well as constitutional guarantees available to weaker section. The Front leader also extended gratitude to the Jammu based leaders who have supported the cause of reservation for Schedule Tribes in the Block Development Council elections. Sarpanch Rangoora Alam Hussain, Sarpanch Khanpur Mohd Iqbal, Sarpanch Bajalta Ch Rehmat Ali and Panch Ghulam Fatima were also present.
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