Non Implementation of 73rd Amendment Exposes Fissures within the J & K Government

Fissures within J&K govt over 73rd amendment By Raman Sharma Though I am not a political expert or analyst but being a common citizen and going through the media statements of the leaders of both Congress Party and National Conference, one can easily draw a conclusion that the union of NC and Congress is not only unnatural, disparate but also perhaps a decision taken under strong political compulsion for which the leadership of both the parties might be having many regrets. The contradictory and venom spilling speeches against each other also made it amply clear that NC-Congress ally do not need any external opposition as they are self sufficient to criticise and expose each other ultimately relieving the actual opposition (PDP, BJP, JKNPP) parties of their task.  The recent statements of the leaders of NC and Congress appearing in media are sufficient to prove that how difficult it is for both the parties to stay united. Though there are several issues when the contradictory speeches come from them but the most peculiar and speculative is about extension of provisions of 73rd amendment of Indian Constitution of India in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The 73rd amendment calls for strengthening the Panchayati Raj Institutions and was brought some 20 years ago. It is often described as the dream of Late Rajiv Gandhi former prime minister and most adorable leader of the Congress Party. Often the state level top leaders of the Congress Party vow to implement this provision here in the state also but on the other side the National Conference is totally adamant to this provision and has shown the red flag many a times on the pretext of Article 370.  On face saving, the Congress party leaders whenever are asked about implementing the provisions of 73rd amendment in the state, they come with a readymade reply that the party is assertive on it and the matter is taken up in CCC (NC-Congress Coalition Coordination Committee) meet. Over two years have passed since the Panchayat elections in the state were held. The state government has patted itself several times calling it as a historic move whereas the elected 33,000 Panchayat members feel deceived without the existence of 2nd tier (Blcok Development Council) and third tier (Distrcit Development and Planning Board) of the Panchayati Raj Act which are essential constituents of Panchayati Raj Insitutions. Now some Panches, Sarpanches group have also come forward and are putting pressure on the state government and especially on the Congress party to fulfill its election promise of establishing empowered PRIs in the state.  To hide its failure in convincing its partner, few days back after the meeting of CCC under the Chairmanship of Congress Party State President Prof Saifuddin Soz, also attended by Deputy CM Tara Chand, senior leaders and ministers of the National Conference including Finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather and Panchayati Raj Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, the Congress Party orchestrated the same old line that they are evolving a consensus on the issue. Whereas on the other side same day Mustafa Kamaal of the National Conference who also happens to be additional general secretary of the party openly bashed Congress and accused it of playing 'vote bank' politics over incorporation of 73rd amendment. Kamal cautioned the Congress party and asked it to forget about the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India into the J&K Panchayat Act in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. He slammed state Congress over remaining silent about the 73rd amendment in the legislative assembly and accused the party of being involved in dual politics. Kamal also questioned the silence of the party during the recent assembly session on which he said they could have raised the issue during the zero hour of the house. Kamal further accused Congress of using the 73rd amendment as the 'election slogan'. The NC leader also stated that the provisions of Article 370 could not be eroded in the state and Congress has to understand the 'subtlety' of the issue. "One wonders why they didn't raise such hue and cry at the time of Panchayat polls. They said nothing at that time and now are playing politics over the matter." "What is the necessity of 73rd amendment? Why that should be implemented in the state?" said Kamal while adding that when no suggestions are being given by the Congress camp, it is 'unnatural' to implement the amendment directly while undermining article 370. This is high time that the Congress party instead of buying further deadlines over the issue come clean and take a firm stand over it because the General Elections are just round the corner and the ambiguity on its part may cause the party grave political loss as it would obviously cause a dent on their credibility.  " "Congress is committed for implementation of provisions of 73rd amendment in the state. All the provisions of 73rd amendment should be made applicable in J&K, Congress is in favour of holding panchayat polls in the state in a democratic manner, there was a consensus among all party members over the issue. We have organized consensus within the party, in consultation with all the Congress party legislators and legislators of the associated parties, district presidents and block presidents, on the question of Congress party's strategy for participation in the ensuing elections to the Block Development Councils of the Panchayats, in the J&K State."    Prof Saifudin Soz,  President JKPCC , In Oct-2012" (The author is an RTI activist and can be reached [a] jkrtiact@gmail.com,Mob: 9796811012) PUBLISHED IN KASHMIR TIMES,,,,,http://www.kashmirtimes.com/newsdet.aspx?q=24786