Activists Demand Incorporation of 73rd, 74th Amendments

Local Bodies Elections in J & K

Jammu, 13/Oct/2015: While welcoming the statement of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for holding the local bodies elections in Jammu and Kashmir on time, the local activists have also demanded incorporation of 73^rd and 74^th amendments of Indian Constitution here in the state as well before going for these elections.

The activists including RTI practitioners and law experts have urged the State Government to incorporate significant sections and provisions of the 73^rd and 74^th amendment of Indian Constitution to give due powers to the local bodies.

They underlined the shortcomings of the present laws i.e  Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act 1989 and Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Corporation Act, 2000  under which the elections are conducted do not guarantee autonomy and self governance status to these bodies therefore  they demanded that to actually empower the Panchayats and Municipal bodies, it is need of the hour to incorporate essential provisions here in the state as well and then conduct the Urban and Rural Local bodies elections.  

The joint statement is endorsed by RTI Activist, Deepak Sharma, Raman Sharma, S. Harasis Singh (of Save my Tawi), Dr. M Ashiq Raza, President Attitude Change International a peace NGO and  Dewaker Sharma and Hunar Gupta both advocates Jammu and Kashmir High Court. 

It is pertinent to mention here that 73^rd and 74^th amendment of the Indian Constitution calls for autonomous status of elected bodies and a provision of independent election and finance commission for these local bodies that works without any direct interference from the State government.