Baramulla/Srinagar, April 19 (Scoop News) – Appreciating the Omar Abdullah led coalition government for holding elections to the Panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir, Senior Congress Leader, former Minister and MLC, Abdul Gani Vakil has described it path breaking decision in decentralizing the power and involving people at grass roots in the governance.
Speaking at a seminar on Panchayat elections at Baramulla today Vakil said that holding of elections to Panchayats after about three decades would pave the way for empowerment of people and transfer of authority from the central level down to villages.
Vakil said that Congress has all along been for empowering people at lower levels to meaningfully implement the schemes of comprehensive socio-economic development of villages in accordance with the aspirations of people.
He said Late Rajiv Gandhi’s contribution for Panchayat Raj system in the country infused new energy to the Gandhian doctrine and helped in a big way to involve public representatives at grass roots in the socio-economic development of villages.
The former Minister said that the establishment of Panchayat Raj in the State would catapult developmental activities and people could formulate and implement area specific programmes and schemes themselves. He said that transfer of functions, functionaries and finance to the Panchayats would be a revolutionary step of the present coalition and it would mean a lot to the people to be themselves masters in the development process.
Vakil also referred to the reservation for women representatives in the Panchayat election and said that women Panches and Sarpanches could better address the problems of women in the particular areas besides exhibiting their worth in the process of economic development.
Vakil also welcomed massive participation of people in the Panch constituencies where the elections have ended successfully across Jammu and Kashmir. “This is a sign of normalcy but there is more to be done for bringing permanent clam in the state,” said Vakil.
He asserted that Congress will forcefully back every action which the government would take against corrupt politicians and government officers.
“Punish the corrupt. Do not worry about the consequences,” is what Vakil pleaded with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while addressing the gathering. Others who addressed the gathering included Dr. Abdul Ahad Yattoo, General secretary JKPCC, Youth Congress leader Altaf Ahmed Malik and senior vice-president District Baramullah Mohammed Afzal Khan
Meanwhile Prof. Saifuddin Soz MP and President J&K Pradesh Congress Committee also expressed great satisfaction at the enthusiasm of people showing by participating in the Panchayat Elections in large numbers. Prof.Soz congratulated people of Kashmir for strengthening democracy at their door step and this process would make their lives richer & fuller in the days to come.
Earlier Prof. Soz accompanied by Senior Vice President of the Party Krishan Amla visited the residence of Late.Maulana Showkat Shah and offered condolences to the bereaved family.
On this occasion Prof. Soz said that Maulana Showkat’s assassination had caused a void in society which can never be filled as the slain Maulana was a symbol of tolerance. Prof. Soz and Krishan Amla also joined the prayer for solace the departed soul.