Excelsior Correspondent
Latti (Udhampur) Oct 2: Taking a jibe at National Conference led coalition regime for indulging in deceit tactics to systematically undermine democratic institutions in the State, patron of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today asserted that his party would not allow the present regime to accomplish its nefarious design of eroding sanctity of institutions like the Panchayati Raj system.
“Panchayati Raj institution is base of our democratic system and the PDP would not allow this vital institution of democracy to die at any cost”, he asserted while addressing an impressive public meeting at remotest Latti area of Udhampur district.
While paying tributes to Mahatama Gandhi on his 143rd birth anniversy, PDP patron said that setting up of vibrant Panchayati Raj system was dream of the Mahatama Gandhi and PDP was committed to fulfill that dream in Jammu and Kashmir.
Taking a dig at State Government for not empowering Panchayats, he regretted that almost one and half year has been passed after completion of Panchayat elections but neither Block Committee nor District Committees have been constituted.
PDP patron warned that his party would strongly oppose gimmick of the ruling NC to undermine democratic institutions and to control these institutions through deceit tactics. “We will agitate for strengthening democratic institutions in the State”, he asserted and assured Panchs and Sarpanchs of Latti and adjoining localities that PDP would take their struggle to the logical end.
Reminding the gathering that it was during the PDP led regime that elections of urban local bodies were held nearly after three decades, He recalled that institution of urban bodies was constituted all over the state and the participation of people in urban local bodies elections were overwhelming at that time. “We had strengthened institution of local self Government all over the state”, he said.
He, however, regretted that instead of taking some steps to strengthen democracy at grass root level the present regime has been brazenly trying to under mine such institutions. “Elections of urban local bodies including Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations were scheduled to be held in the month of February 2010 but the Government has been postponing these elections with one or other excuse”, he said.
“Even in the Governor Address during the budget session of the Assembly, the Government had promised to conduct local bodies elections”, he recalled but added that all promises remained on papers which substantiate PDP’s apprehensions that this regime was not interested in conducting local bodies elections.
Highlighting achievements of the previous PDP led regime, he said that his Government had carved out a path of path of peace and development in the State. “We have revived people’s faith in the democracy and in democratic institutions through our policies and programmes”, he said but hastened to add that the present regime has failed to come up to the expectations of the people.
“The people have no faith on the present Government and this regime does not has even a single achievement to highlight during its almost four years tenure”, he mentioned and regretted that the National Conference led Government has failed to carry forward the agenda of peace and development which was initiated by the previous PDP-Congress regime.
Former Chief Minister, while demanding independent tourist destination for Jammu region, said that this region has huge tourism potential and it was need of the hour to exploit this potential to improve socio-economic condition of the people.
Responding to the demands raised by local leaders, he assured that matter regarding un-electrified villages would be taken up with the authorities concerned. Furthermore, he supported the demand of degree college at Latti.
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