Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 22: Former minister and PCC general secretary Dr Manohar Lal Sharma today accused BJP and PDP of diluting the powers of Panchayats and weakening the grassroot level democratic institutions for their vested interests
In a press statement here Mr Sharma said that the move of the present Govt exposes both the coalition partners and shows how much they are serious in democratic values and strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions. He termed it as the most unfortunate step which will prove counter-productive for this dispensation.
The Congress leader said that this step will boost the horse trading in elections of Sarpanchs who were previously got elected by the general public instead of Panchs. Dr Sharma said, ” I am unable to understand the reason behind such amendment and what the Government wants to achieve by this except encouraging corruption by horse trading.”
He further said that the main object of establishment of Panchayati Raj institutions in the country is to involve the general public in developmental process of the country through their valuable suggestions given to the Panchayats, but now the things will e different. He recalled that this was the previous and old system of elections in Panchayati Raj but to ensure the larger participation of the general public, it was amended to remove the weaknesses of electoral procedure and to bring transparency, but the present dispensation ignored the genuineness of the election procedure and brought more than three decades old system.
The Congress leader strongly demands the immediate withdrawal of this amendment in the larger interest of Panchayati Raj institutions which is in infancy stage in the State. He appealed to the all sections of society including all political parties to oppose this move of coalition Government in one voice.
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