Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 7: National Panthers Party today alleged the State Government was deliberately denying powers to Panchayats and the coalition partners have a “secret understanding” over the issue.
“The State Government is deliberately delaying, denying and sabotaging the rights and powers to Panchayat members. Congress and NC have a secret understanding on this. It is a conspiracy and is sheer injustice to Sarpanchs and Panchs,” JKNPP leader and MLA Harshdev Singh told reporters here.
Legislators of Panthers Party will hold a protest on Oct 9 in Lal Chowk against State Govt over the issue of price rise.
Singh said the Panchayats should be empowered without any delay and 73rd Amendment of the Constitution should be implemented in the State.
He accused the Congress of having double-standards over the issue of implementation of 73rd Amendment, saying it has made no move to bring a Bill in the Assembly for this.
“Congress is protesting outside the Assembly for the implementation of the 73rd Amendment, but has not brought Bill in the Assembly to empower Sarpanchs and Panchs, he said.”
“NPP had introduced a bill in the Budget session, but no Congressman raised his hand in its support. They outrightly rejected it,” Singh claimed.
“If Congress is so sincere on the issue of empowering Panchayats and NC is opposing it, why doesn’t it withdraw its support to the Coalition Government?,” he asked.
He said NPP will support any party including People’s Democratic Party (PDP) if it brings a Bill in the Assembly for empowering Panchayats.
Condemning the recent killings of Panchayat members, Singh alleged the State Government has failed to provide a sense of security to these members.
Singh also appealed the State Government to increase the cap on LPG to 12 per year and also reduce taxes and increase the subsidy on it. He asked if other States in the country can provide subsidy, why Jammu and Kashmir cannot.
He said Government should divest extra-constitutional authorities like Advisers and Chairmen of various Commissions and the money saved from them should be spent on providing the subsidy on fuel and gas to people.
He also asked the Government to strengthen various institutions like Accountability Commission and Information Commission in to bring in more transparency, accountability and improve work-culture.
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