Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA/HIRANAGAR, Dec 15: Addressing a series of election meetings in Kathua and Hiranagar Assembly constituencies today, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS in PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Space and Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh accused the National Conference (NC)-Congress Coalition Government of being responsible for recurrent killings of Panchs and Sarpanchs during last three years and said that the Panchs and Sarpanchs had become victims of double assault.
On the one hand, due to deliberate and inordinate delay by State Government in the implementation of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution, the Panchs and Sarpanchs were deprived of adequate administrative and financial empowerment which made them vulnerable to the disenchantment and anger of their electorate, while on the other hand, despite repeated pleas, the NC led Government refused to give them adequate security, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that BJP was the first political party to have demanded introduction of 73rd and 74th Amendments soon after the Panchayat elections were announced nearly four years ago but at that time the Government did not heed the advice because in that case the huge Central grant meant for Panchayats would have gone straight to Panchs and Sarpanchs instead of being routed through NC and Congress ministers . Much later, however, only when constant pressure was built up by BJP and continous killings of Panchs became uncontrollable by the State Government, the NC- led Govt. was forced to bend and consider adopting 73rd Amendment.
It is strange that National Conference which clamours for “autonomy”, cares little about granting autonomy at grassroot level to Panchayats and local bodies, he quipped. Does the NC want “autonomy” only for itself and its ruling family, he asked.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the people of Jammu &Kashmir were misled by the National Conference-Congress leadership on the issue of introducing 73rd and 74th Amendments of Indian Constitution and added, the results are now for everybody to see.
He alleged , the only motivation behind depriving local bodies of adequate empowerment was that enormous Central grant meant for Panchayats would then go direct to Panchs and Sarpanchs which would have denied the NC-Congress Ministers of the opportunity to embezzle the Central funds as they have been doing for years together.
If voted to power,Dr Jitendra Singh said,BJP will ensure democracy at grassroot level and account for each and every penny received through Central funds from Govt of India.
He said, the people of Kashmir, particularly youth are no longer ready to be misled by National Conference and Congress, and added that BJP is committed to follow the agenda of viable progressive development in Jammu & Kashmir.
BJP Kathua candidate Rajiv Jasrotia accompanied Dr Jitendra in Kathua.
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