The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Government on Wednesday appointed Block Development Officers (BDOs) as Administrators of Panchayat Halqas for six months.

An order issued in this connection states, "The term of Halqa Panchayat(s) has expired on 09.01.2024 and the government is satisfied that the Halqa Panchayat(s) cannot be constituted immediately."

"Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 9 of Jammu & Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, the Government hereby appoints Block Development Officers (BDOs) as Administrator(s), for running the affairs of the Panchayat Halqas under their jurisdiction for a period of six months w.e.f. 10.01.2024 or till further orders, whichever is earlier," it added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the term of 28,000 Panchayat members in Jammu and Kashmir ended on January 9.

SRINAGAR — Panchayats and Block Development Councils (BDCs) have ceased to exist in Jammu and Kashmir from today. All the Panchayats and BDCs have completed their term and now at least for six months, these Panchayats and BDCs will be non-existent in the erstwhile state.

As per the official data, there were all but 28,000 representatives of Panchayats and BDCs.

Elections to 77 Municipalities including 40 in the Kashmir division, 37 in the Jammu region and 4291 Panchayats were supposed to be held in October-November last year but were delayed due to the grant of reservation to Other Backward Classes.

Official sources said that these elections will likely be conducted after over six months. They said that due to several processes, these elections can’t be conducted at the moment.

The government may soon appoint administrators to exercise all powers and duties of Halqa Panchayats till elections take place and if there will be further delay in the polls, then the powers can be extended by another three months.

JAMMU — The Administrative Council (AC) which met here under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha approved carrying out amendments in Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 to incorporate the definition of OBCs in the Act to ensure their reservation in this grassroots democratic institution.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor; Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lieutenant Governor attended the meeting.

Earlier, the draft J&K Panchayati Raj Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 was submitted to MHA, GoI and observations raised by MHA were examined and necessary amendments have been incorporated in the revised draft J&K Panchayati Raj Act (Amendment) Bill.

The Amendment Bill proposes the incorporation of the definition of OBCs for providing reservation for the Other Backward Classes, explaining a method of disqualification from membership of Halqa Panchayat, suspension and removal of Sarpanch, Naib-Sarpanch and Panch by the Government. It also defines the process for removal and conditions of service of the State Election Commissioner (SEC) here.

The proposed amendments aim to make the J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 more effective by ensuring transparency in the functioning of PRIs, constitutional alignment & consistency with practices in other states where reservation has been provided to the OBCs apart from the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.

SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor on Monday lashed out at the mainstream parties for opposing the land for landless, stating that these people are responsible for the killings of 50,000 innocent people.

“These people can’t digest peace as they don’t want it. They were provoking people to promote street violence and see the closure of schools and colleges. These people are responsible for the killing of 40,000 to 50,000 innocents in J&K,” the LG said while addressing a three-day national workshop on 'Panchayat with Good Governance' at Convention Centre here, as per the news agency KNO. He, however, didn’t name any political party or a person.

Pertinently, National Conference Vice-president Omar Abdullah had questioned who were the homeless and landless in J&K while PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti too had cast aspersions on the allotment of land and homes to the “homeless.”

Asking Sarpanchs, Panchs, BDCs and DDCs as to whether they can pinpoint a single case where land or home was provided to a non-J&K resident under PMAY, the LG said, “There was much noise that land is being provided to the non-J&K residents. Not a single non-J&K resident has been provided land or home under PMAY,” he said.

The LG said that some people keep on asking a question about what has changed in the past four years. “They can’t see peace prevailing in J&K. Street violence, which was routine, has ended and schools and colleges remain open throughout the year. People would be seen leaving for their homes soon after sunset, but today, even after 10 pm, restaurants and hotels are open. Youth including boys, girls and even the elderly spend time playing music or enjoying ice creams on the Jehlum front. This is what has changed,” he said and added, “This is indeed a big change.”

He said those not able to digest peace continue to provoke people on one or the other pretext to revive street violence.

The LG said that in the past four years, many national and international events were held in Srinagar but today’s event on Panchayati Raj is the biggest one.

“I believe real governance flows through Panchayats. Village with good governance is a dream of every Panchayat that will be fulfilled,” he said, adding that 30,000 projects are underway at the Panchayat level. “Funds, Function and Functionary has been streamlined and people are enjoying and reaping the benefits of the Panchayati Raj system,” the LG said.

PALI (SAMBA) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reached out to the youth of J&K, stating that he promises that the youth of the UT won’t suffer the way their parents and grandparents suffered in the past.

“I assure, rather promise that youth of J&K won’t see hardships and sufferings seen by their parents and grandparents,” PM Modi thundered from the stage at Pali Panchayat block in Samba district of Jammu region, as per news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said neither the place is for new for him nor was he new to people. “Today, Rs 20,000 Crore worth of projects related to connectivity and electricity have been inaugurated. Local youth of this place will get jobs,” he said.

He said Jan Aushudi cards will help poor people get medicines at cheaper rates. “Today is yet another beginning of J&K’s march towards development,” PM Modi said. He said that Pali Panchayat village will be the first Carbon-neutral Panchayat of J&K.

“Today, I met Panchayat representatives. Heard them, their dreams and mission. I felt happy after seeing their commitment to development. Today, Panchayat representatives showed me what 'Sab Ka Prayas' actually is,” PM Modi said.

He said that in the past 10 days, villagers have been providing free food to guests coming to attend the rally. “I salute all the villagers of Pali for their commitment,” Modi said, adding that “celebrating Panchayati Raj Diwas in J&K is a significant development. It is evident that democracy has reached the grassroots level in J&K and I am addressing all Panchayats of India from this place.”

In J&K, there are more than 30,000 Panchayati representatives who are running governance-related affairs. “For the first time, peaceful three-tier Panchayati elections were held,” he said.

“Past two years have seen a huge development in J&K. Almost 200 new laws were extended to J&K and empowered people of this place,” he added.

The most benefit reached Dalits, women, children and downtrodden of J&K. “I feel proud, today after 75 years, Walmiki Samaj people are equal to any other citizen of India. These people suffered a lot. These people got freedom after 75 years of India’s independence,” the PM said.

He said LPG gas connection, Sawach Bharat scheme or any other Central scheme, J&K is on the forefront. “I also met a Gulf delegation. They are quite enthusiastic about J&K. Post 1947, just Rs 17000 outside investment reached J&K. But in just the past two years, Rs 38000 Crore investment proposals stand cleared for J&K,” the PM Modi said, adding that corruption is being crushed by the clean administration which has raised the confidence of investors.

"This year, for the preservation of lakes, huge funds were earmarked," he said while adding that he feels happy after e-inaugurating the Ratle Power Project.

“Power sector is having huge potential to take J&K to new heights,” PM Modi said. He said every Panchayat will be strengthened further.

PM Modi said that the government led by him is committed to providing clean and safe drinking water to every household in the years ahead.

PALI (SAMBA) — Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Sunday said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, J&K’s 70-year-old dream of 'Ek Vidhan, Ek Nishan, Ek Pradhan' today stands fulfilled while as post-August 5, 2019, people of UT have been able to see new dreams.

Addressing a massive rally in Pali area of Samba district in Jammu, LG Sinha, as per news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), while welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that it was for the first time that entire India, right from J&K to Kanyakumari, was having one flag and one leader, “who is today in front of us.”

“For the first time, we are seeing a full-fledged three-tier Panchayati Raj system in place,” LG Sinha said. He said that post 1947 only, 15000 Crore investment reached J&K while as today, there are proposals worth Rs 52000 Crore with the J&K Government of which Rs 38000 Crore investment proposals are being inaugurated by the Prime Minister today.

“In the next few years, we will achieve the target of Rs 70,000 Crore investment and almost 7 to 8 lakh youth will get jobs,” LG Sinha said.

Speaking on the occasion, MoS in PMO Dr Jitendera Singh said that under the leadership of PM Modi, the people of J&K saw real “self-rule” flourishing in the UT and every segment is flourishing and people are reaping peace dividends.