Describing the new directive of Jammu and Kashmir government on Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) as another joke, a state Panchayat body today said such decisions were an attempt to divert the attention from the 73rd amendment.
All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) Chairman Shafiq Mir today said that there was no other way to empower Panchayats other than to implement the 73rd amendment of the Indian constitution.
On Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Government had issued a directive to all Block Development Officers of the state asking them to convene the monthly meeting of Panchayats with 14 departments under it.
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Mir said last year, the government had issued a similar directive asking the Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) of each district to work as a nodal officer between Panchayats and the 14 departments identified by the government under the control of panchayats.
"When ADDC has failed to deliver anything, how can a BDO do any miracle?" Mir asked, adding that it was just another attempt of the government to get rid of the demand of 73rd amendment raised by Panchayats.
He has also asked ruling coalition partner Congress to clear its stand on the issue as the matter has twice been in its election manifesto.
"We don't want this issue be further pushed to the next manifesto," he said.
