Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 11: The Jammu & Kashmir United Movement (JKUM), led by its President and former MLA Ishfaq Jabbar today held a protest, accusing the Omar Abdullah-led Government of violating the Panchayati Raj Act and diverting PRI funds.
The rally, joined by a number of party members, was taken out from Tawheed Chowk to the Mini Secretariat in Ganderbal.
Speaking with reporters, Jabbar alleged that the funds allocated under the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) capex are being diverted through Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), which he termed a direct violation of the Panchayati Raj Act.
“The Act was enacted to empower grassroots governance. What they are trying to do will create a monopoly and is being done to benefit a particular section. They want to misuse these funds,” he said.
He further claimed that Gram Sabhas are either not being held or, if held, are conducted behind closed doors, defeating the very purpose of participatory governance.
“They are trying to convert PRI funds into Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to benefit their people. As a result, genuine works will be halted, creating unnecessary hurdles,” he said, warning that the move would adversely impact thousands of registered contractors who rely on transparent work order processes.
He urged the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and the central Government to take serious note of the issue.
A memorandum highlighting these concerns was submitted to the Union Home Minister and the LG through the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Ganderbal.
He also alleged that funds meant for MGNREGA are being misappropriated. “Thousands of job card holders are longing for even a single penny, while the funds meant for them are being credited to other accounts,” he added.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel