Govt’s promise of Rs 25 lakh for developmental works yet to be deposited: JKPRM

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Movement (JKPRM) on Thursday stated that not a single penny has been deposited into the accounts of elected representatives even after elapsing eight months since it claimed that Rs 25 lakh will be deposited into their accounts for developmental works in their constituencies.

JKPRM also asked the government to establish Panchayati Adalat Commissions and confer members with session’s judge or Munsiff powers to deal with pending cases.

JKPRM, which according to its President is an amalgam of around 37000 grassroots representatives across Jammu and Kashmir also demanded enhancement in monthly honorarium of Block Development Council (BDC) and newly elected District Development Council (DDC) members.

Ghulam Hassan Panzoo, President JKPRM while addressing a press conference asked the government to establish Panchayati Adalat Commissions in one out of every five villages and confer members with Sessions Judge or Munsiff powers to deal with pending cases.

“This was our primary demand to the government to establish Panchayati Adalat Commissions in one out of every five villages comprising five members, the head of the commission should be confer with power of Session Judge or Munsiff to deal with pending cases,” Panzoo said according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He also appealed to the government to fulfill its promise of depositing rupees 25 lakh into their accounts so that developmental works do not take a hit. He said the people often come to them to address their problems which he said is not possible without adequate funds.

“Government had promised that 25 lakh rupees would be deposited into the accounts of elected representatives so that developmental works in their constituencies do not take a hit, but eight months have passed and the government has not deposited a single penny,” he added.

JKPRM president also appealed to the government to create a separate post of District Development Commissioner (DDC) in every district so that works on Panchayat level are done without any political interference.

He also asked the government to make elected Panchayat representatives including BDC’s and DDC’s aware of their powers and enhance their monthly honorarium without any further delay.

“Since the government fulfilled most of our demands, we appeal to the Lieutenant Governor administration to enhance the monthly honorarium of elected representatives including DDC’s and BDC’s. They should also be made aware of their powers so that there would be no disagreement between them and the elected representatives of Legislative Assembly,” he added—(KNO)