Empowering Panchayats ?

Empowering Panchayats?Renaming 'RDD' won't help, Address Grievances!

Raman Sharma                           Northlines, 21/sept/2012

When in June-2011, the process of Panchayat elections was successfully completed; the Omar led government earned all the credit from all the quarters including international organizations for taking the democracy to the grass root level because in the terror-trouble state, these Panchayat elections were held after a period of three decades. The world recognizes the fact that holding Panchayat elections in J & K is not an easy task but the state government with the active support of security forces, civil administration and enthusiasm of people of the state passed this litmus test and people elected their local representatives what we all know Panchs and Sarpanches.  Last year during his first interaction with the elected members of Panchayats, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah promised them the Sky but on ground even after more than 15 months, nothing substantial is being done for which the Village representative can thank the government. Chief Minister even promised them honorarium and other important assignments but not even a single penny was ever given to any representative, neither in Jammu nor in Kashmir. Now these elected Panches and Sarpanches who fought these elections feel deceived, because many of them had even quit their government jobs, business and other sources of livelihood to participate in the elections. It is pertinent to mention here that as per section 10 of the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act 1989, every elected Panch, Sarpanch shall be paid an honorarium as decided by the state government but despite over a period of 15 months the state government only gave them assurances.  In continuation to its lip service the state government on Wednesday has decided to change the nomenclature of the State Rural Development Department to 'Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department'. It is being argued by the state government that this decision would be prudent to further strengthen the institutions of Panchayats. Though the stakeholders feel otherwise, while giving his reaction over the recent decision of the state government of changing the name of the 'RDD", Convener of J & K Panchayat Conference and Sarpanch of Village Poshana (Bufflaiz, Poonch), Shafiq Mir though welcomed the decision of the state government but argued that only change in nomenclature won't help. He said the elected village representatives have their genuine grievance. Citing his own example, Shafiq Mir informed that prior to being elected as Sarpanch, he was earning a handsome income as he was associated with a leading newspaper but now he feels helpless as owing to his responsibility of being Sarpanch he cannot devote time for his profession of journalism and lost his job.  Like Mir, Shahnawaz Sultan another young Sarpanch of 26 Years who had successfully contested from Village Repora Namtihal (Chadoora, Budgam) also complains and angers that despite all the risks he contested the election. He blamed the government for shying away from empowering the basic democratic institutions. Sultan told that all his family members and friends had advised him not to contest the elections but he trusted the words of the Chief Minister and the state government and decided to participate. Visibly angry Shahnawaz informed that he was running a Tour Operating agency till April-2011 but after being elected as Sarpanch his source of livelihood is running away as he is unable to pay attention towards his business. He said the state government is not sincere and such manipulative moves are not going to yield any result.  It is worth to note here that the state government is under severe criticism from the opposition and even from its own coalition partner Congress as Prof. Saifudin Soz, the PCC president has publicly demanded implementation of 73rd and 74th amendment in the JK Panchayti Act. Lets's hope the State government moves forward and do justice with the elected representatives who have put their life and career on stake for strengthening the democratic institutions in the state especially in the militancy prone areas where there were even open threats to them by the anti-national elements.  (Auhtor is an RTI activist an can be reached [a] jkrtiact@gmail.com)  http://thenorthlines.com/newsdet.aspx?q=56240