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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
J&K election commission headless for over a month
All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), a prominent registered body working for strengthening grassroots level democracy in J&K on Monday strongly condemned the silence adopted by political parties, the lieutenant governor and the legislators over the headless Jammu and Kashmir election commission. AJKPC president Anil Sharma during interaction with media on Monday. (HT Photo) AJKPC president Anil Sharma criticised the elected representatives of all political parties, saying that their silence shows they are not serious about panchayati raj institutions. 'If they really cared about grassroots democracy and the rights of people at the village level, at least one leader would have raised this issue with the government, the LG, or even in the media,' he said during a press conference here. He pointed out that not a single political party or public figure has shown concern or demanded appointment of a new poll chief even after it has been a month since the term of former J&K chief secretary ended. Sharma alleged that MLAs across party lines are not interested in holding panchayat or urban local body elections. 'On other issues, even those not connected to J&K or of national importance, they make loud statements. But when it comes to something as crucial as local elections, they choose to remain quiet,' he added. He reminded that under the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, only the state election commission has the legal authority to conduct panchayat and urban local bodies polls. 'These elections have already been overdue for more than 18 months now, and still the government is taking no action to address it,' he said. Sharma also appealed to the bureaucrats working closely with the Raj Bhavan to uphold the Constitution and values of democracy. 'Officers are there to serve the people and uphold public interest, not to follow the will of one individual. Individuals come and go, but institutions are permanent. It is their duty to protect these institutions,' he said. He added that AJKPC is planning to launch a full campaign across Jammu and Kashmir to demand early panchayat elections after the completion of the Amarnath Yatra and Independence Day celebrations. The AJKPC has already sent a detailed letter to the lieutenant governor and the CM, requesting that the post of state election commissioner be filled without any further delay.
United News of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
All J&K Panchayat Conference delegation meets Rajnath, submits memo for compensation of land
Jammu, June 19 (UNI) A delegation of the All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference on Thursday met the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and submitted a memorandum, seeking his intervention to resolve the long-standing issues of villagers who donated their ancestral land decades ago for near defence establishments in Jindrah and Nagrota areas of Jammu district. The delegation was led by its president Anil Sharma. During the meeting, as per the handout issued here, Sharma said the local populace had selflessly parted with their agricultural land for the establishment of defence facilities such as FAD 15 at Jindrah and 4 ASD at Ban Nagrota, with the assurance that local youth would be given preference in employment in the Indian Army, MES, FAD and related services. 'Initially, the practice of recruiting local youth was followed, and several young men were inducted into the Army and related defence services. However, for the past 15 to 18 years, this has been discontinued without any formal communication,' Sharma informed the Defence Minister. He said that despite the villagers' unwavering support and pride in contributing to national security, their expectations for employment and recognition have remained unfulfilled. 'Many educated and deserving youth residing within a 20 to 25 km radius of these ammunition depots in Jindrah and Nagrota are willing to serve with dedication. We request that the earlier practice of offering them preference in recruitment be revived,' he said. The AJKPC leader also raised concerns over the meagre and irregular rent being paid to the landowners for the land acquired for defence purposes and requested the Defence Ministry to consider a one-time compensation or settlement for the families, citing the emotional and economic value attached to the ancestral land. The AJKPC delegation also lauded the Indian Army's Operation Sindoor, saying that it has further deepened the bond between civilians and the armed forces. 'The people of Jammu and Kashmir have always stood with the Army and take great pride in the sacrifices made by our soldiers,' he said in the memorandum. The AJKPC leader also expressed full faith in the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and hoped the Ministry would act with compassion to redress the grievances of the local population that has historically supported the Army's presence in the region. Rakesh Sharma, AJKPC Secretary, said local youth of Nagrota constituency were concerned over lack of preference in job opportunities in Indian army, MES and FAD despite the fact that their families have donated their precious ancestral lands for army establishments. 'Our AJKPC president has taken up the matter with the Defence Minister and we are hopeful of early resolution to all pending issues,' he added. UNI VBH SS
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delay in Panchayat polls blocking devp funds: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference
All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC), an apex body of sarpanches and panches on Monday expressed concern over the prolonged delay in holding panchayat polls in the union territory, while pointing out that more than a year has passed since the dissolution of panchayats on January 9, 2024. In an appeal to the UT administration, AJKPC president Anil Sharma, during a press conference, called for an immediate action to restore grassroots democracy and unlock developmental funds meant for rural areas. Sharma said that failure to conduct elections within one year of dissolution has resulted in blockage of funds meant for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). These funds, he stressed, are vital for the execution of key development projects across rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir. 'We had hoped that once assembly elections were conducted in Jammu and Kashmir, the panchayat polls would follow. Unfortunately, that has not happened,' the leader said. He regretted that rural development has been severely impacted due to the absence of elected panchayat bodies. Projects related to roads, electricity, drinking water supply, and ration distribution have reportedly slowed down or come to a complete halt in many areas. He also reminded the government of its longstanding demand for the establishment of a state election commission (SEC) that is independent of political influence and capable of conducting elections on time. 'We fought for the establishment of a SEC so that the people are not dependent on political parties for the conduct of elections. However things are not moving in right directions as elections are getting delayed,' the AJKPC leader said. He has urged the administration to not delay further, and to set a clear timeline for both panchayat and block development council (BDC) elections. The delay, they warned, is not only a setback to democratic governance, but also a major roadblock to rural development and delivery of essential services. The AJKPC leader has said that the dissolution of Panchayats, and the delay in fresh elections, has left a democratic vacuum at the village level. 'Elections are not a formality—they are a necessity. Without them, rural governance is paralysed, and the common man suffers,' he said.
