Srinagar, Aug 02: An 11-member delegation of the J&K National Conference led by its General Secretary, Sh. Ali Mohammad Sagar, met Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan today.
The delegation put forth its concerns relating to the legal challenge to the Article 35 A of the Indian Constitution; appreciated the decisions taken by the Governor for streamlining the Administration after the imposition of Governor’s Rule; raised issues relating to the security concerns of their Party members on account of militant attacks on its leaders and workers; growing menace of drugs among youth; downturn in the tourism and handicrafts sectors of the State’s economy; raised attention to the developmental issues of Srinagar city, particularly the urgent need for Dal Lake conservation; problems of Kargil District which included unlawful constructions, encroachments on public lands, and need to ensure timely completion of the Zojila tunnel.
The delegation thanked Governor on his decision to conduct the long overdue elections to the Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats. Governor urged Sh. Sagar and his Party members to raise awareness about the high importance of the forthcoming elections to establish grass-root democracy in the State.
Governor assured the delegation that he would schedule an early visit to Kargil to discuss and settle all outstanding problems relating to the district.
Panchayat Conference too meets Vohra
Monitor News Bureau
Srinagar, Aug 02: A 14-member delegation of All J&K Panchayat Conference, led by its Chairman Sh. Shafiq Mir, met Governor N.N. Vohra at the Raj Bhavan today.
The delegation lauded the Governor’s decision to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act 1989 to restore the direct election of Sarpanches and taking steps for strengthening the grass root level self-governing institutions in the rural areas. The delegation emphasized that the Panchayats are entirely non-political, community centric institutions which promote growth and development in sync with the aspirations of people living in the villages. They requested that the District Administration in the State should be directed to involve the erstwhile Panchs and Sarpanches for tackling various issues in the Panchayat areas. The delegation also highlighted the pressing security concerns of the All J&K Panchayat Conference members.
Governor urged the Panchayat Conference delegation to lose no time in starting preparations for the elections which are planned to be held in October-December this year. He urged Sh. Mir and his colleagues to spread awareness amongst the general public about the apolitical character of the Panchayats and their crucial importance in enabling the villages to plan and decide their development priorities and be also responsible for implementing the village development programmes.
