Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 14: Jammu and Kashmir Awami Raj Movement (JKARM) today demanded increment in the monthly honorariums of Sarpanchs and Panchs, and release of pending dues.
Addressing a press conference here, President, Awami Raj Movement, Ghulam Hassan, demanded a hike in the monthly honorarium of Panchs and Sarpanchs. “The honorarium for Panchs should be fixed at Rs 20,000 and Rs 10,000 for Panchs. We also want the release of the pending honorarium of some members who have not been paid from July 2011- March 2013,” he said, adding that they have repeatedly raised the issue with the authorities concerned but to no avail.
Secretary of the organization, Bashir Malik, demanded strict adherence to the prescribed guidelines for Sapanchs in the administration as they represent the 80 percent of the people who live in rural areas have chosen them to end their civic woes.
He added during the 2011 Panchayats at least 16 members were killed. “Their kids have not been rehabilitated despite the passage of 8 years. They should be rehabilitated and their kids should be covered under SRO 43”, he said.
Meanwhile, the organization demanded immediate elections for BDC and DPDB level, so that the issues of the people are addressed at the earliest. They also demanded early notification of Panchayats where elections are yet to be held. “Their members should be taken from Pancahyat quota,” Bashir Malik, said.
The members threatened to protest if their demands are not fulfilled. “We will hit roads along with our voters if our demands are not fulfilled,” he said.