Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Nov 20: Member Parliament Jammu-Poonch constituency and senior Congress leader, Madan Lal Sharma has demanded special package for the Kandi area development.
Addressing a public gathering at Nud in district Samba today, the Congress MP demanded special funds on the pattern of Border Area Development Programme (BADP) in the shape of Kandi Area Development Programme. Justifying his demand, Mr Sharma said that the livelihood of these areas totally depends upon rainfall and the people face difficulties in earning their daily bread. Moreover, the Kandi belt also lacks the proper road connectivity and other basic amenities and fulfills the criteria to be considered for special funds.
Mr Sharma also appealed the State Government to clear the 73rd Amendment in State Cabinet as early as possible to fulfill the long pending demand. He said the late Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi had a vision of transferring power at grass root level to ensure the participation and empowerment of down trodden and unheard sections of society. Panchayats and Local Bodies are the democratic institutions run by the elected Panchs and Sarpanchs and they truly represent the masses. Their empowerment can bring a positive change in the mindset of the people in present scenario of Jammu and Kashmir. He further demanded that remuneration of Sarpanchs and Panchs be enhanced.
The MP called upon the people to take benefit of the Centrally sponsored schemes and claimed that Government of India led by Congress has opened the gates of treasures for J&K State and its over all development. He said that Sarpanchs and Panchs should educate the people regarding various schemes.
Prominent among others present on the occasion included S Manjit Singh, Swarn Lata, Sarpanchs- Karan Singh, Raj Kumar, Babbal Gupta, Hardev Singh, Srikant, Babu Ram and Kuldeep Raj.