Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 4: With the hope that after first ever elections of 3rd tier of Panchayati Raj i.e. District Development Councils (DDC) in Jammu and Kashmir, the ugly face of the villages of the UT will change and people will get all basic facilities that too at par with the inhabitants of town and cities, enthusiastic voters of Bhalwal and Marh Blocks casted their votes in third phase of District Development Council polls, today.
As the clock strikes 7 this morning, hustle bustle started at polling centres in Bhalwal and Marh Blocks. In many polling stations, elderly voters being early risers casted first votes and as the time advanced, voters of all age groups rushed to polling stations to cast their votes.
At polling station Government Middle School Kalakam in Bhalwal Block, a young voter Susheel Kumar said that in his school days, he had read about 3rd tier of Panchayati Raj but that did not exist in J&K. “I am very happy today that Modi Government is going to establish full democracy in villages also with these DDC elections,” he said, adding, with the hope that villages will no more remain villages of ancient times and will witness development in every sphere, he casted his vote to the candidate of his choice.
“In last few years, our villages saw development to a great extent but still villagers are lacking many basic facilities like proper drinking water, sanitation facilities, education and medical facilities, etc. I hope that the candidate of my choice (if voted to power) in whose favour I voted, will take care of all these issues and try his best to provide all these facilities at par with cities and towns,” said Pankaj Gupta after casting his vote at polling station Panchayat Ghar Kot.
With similar expectations, Geeta Devi, a well educated housewife living in Domana area casted her vote at Government Higher Secondary School, Domana. She expressed hope that the lane to their mohalla, which is ‘kachha’ for last several years, will be cemented/tiled and drains will be constructed on both sides of the lane once the DDC elections is over as she took up the matter with all the candidates who come to her house seeking votes.
In polling stations of Marh Block also, people had come to vote with high expectations. “For last many decades, we have been voting for MLAs but except giving benefit to their near and dear ones, these MLAs did nothing for the common man and improve living conditions in villages,” said Buti Singh, while coming out of polling station Government Middle School Bhadrod.
He said as first time DDC elections are being held in J&K, people have high hopes with upcoming DDC members and with the same hope I exercised my franchise to vote. “Elected candidates forget their commitments, duties and responsibilities after coming to power but we should not be demoralized and leave our voting rights,” he added.
“In this election, there are several new faces and some are very young. We should give them a chance to prove them their mettle to serve the society in better way,” said Yog Raj, a farmer after casting his vote in polling station, Community Hall, Chak Lal Din. He expressed hope that the newly elected DDC candidate will come up to their expectations and work for the development of the villages of the whole Marh Block.
Another voter, Om Parkash, standing last in the queue at polling station Government Primary School Daichak, however had different views. He said, “I have no expectations with these elections as no candidate of his choice is in fray but I will exercise my franchise to vote and cast my vote for NOTA.”
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