J&K panchayat members’ body demands allowance for gram sabhas to award works up to Rs 3 lakh

JAMMU, NOV 15 – All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference,(AJKPC) the premier representative body of elected Panchayat members of J & K today held a press conference here at Organization’s  Headquarter in old city Jammu headed by its President Anil Sharma in presence of several others including Block Development Chairmen, Panches, Sarpanches  and senior functionaries of the AJKPC.

While addressing the media person, Anil Sharma informed that despite repeated prayers to the government and assurances by the senior officers of the J & K government even tenders for petty works are being allotted by e-tendering process which is not only undermining the autonomy of the Gram Sabhas but also depriving the local educated youth of employment avenues.

Sharma  alleged that he has been apprised by the Panchayat members that the works done by contractors under  CAPEX budget in rural areas are of very low quality and there is no accountability of these contractors and they not pay any heed to the requests of the PRI members, neither the officers listen to the prayers of the Panches and Sarpanches in this regard.

The AJKPC President  stated that as the Utilization Certificates(UCs) for works done under district budget for  CAPEX are being issued by respective district administration therefore the role of PRI members in checking the quality of works have been curtailed and in fact done away.

He said it is insignificant that from which account the money is being spent for developmental work , the only important thing is it spent out of state exchequer and out of tax payers money so there must be accountability of the contractors and government employees.

He cautioned the officer of the district administration and rural development department not to test the patience of the elected representatives and not muzzle with the autonomy of Panchayti Raj Institutions in J & K.

The AJKPC leaders urged the Lieutenant Governor Manor Sinha, Commissioner Secretary Rural development department, divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu   to take appropriate action in this matter to avoid confrontation and let the Panchayti Raj Institutions and elected PRI members works without any interference.

They demanded that Utilization certificate for works done in rural areas under CAPEX budget should be issued by Gram Sabha instead of district administration for ensuring transparency and accountability and works up to Rs 3 Lac be not awarded through e-tendering and the Gram Sabha be allowed to identify the deserving educated youth and self help groups of youth to execute the local works in villages and Panchayats to generate employment avenues and also for making sure of quality work.

President said There should be an approval of Rs.1.00Lacs for every Panchayat for snow clearing/Emergency issues during winter session

The prominent leaders besides Anil Sharma who remained present and addressed the media include BDC Imamsahib AK Pandita BDC Gh.Hassan Reshi Zainapora
Muzafer Ahmed Reshi Sarpanch Halqa Sofipora Shahnawaz Malik Sarpanch Halqa Safenagri Manoj Pandita Sarpanch Halqa Lajurah Pulwama Mahesh Dhar Sarpanch Halqa Chakura Pulwama. .