Jammu, 23 September (H.S.): Demanding early conduct of Panchayat and Local Bodies elections in Jammu and Kashmir, All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) an apex body of former Panchayat members of the Union Territory said that the local development has nothing to do with the restoration of statehood.

Addressing a press conference at winter capital Jammu on Tuesday, Shafiq Mir, chairman All J&K Panchayat Conference said that Panchayat elections were due in Jammu and Kashmir since 2023 after the completion of five-year term of Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies in the region but local regional government led by Omar Abdullah has again stalled this democratic local governing institution which was established in full form with all powers by the PM of India Narendra Modi himself.

While detailing the achievements of PRIs, Mir said that the historical and unparallel development was ensured during the Panchayati Raj system in J&K after the abrogation of article 370. He said the establishment of three tier Panchayati Raj system in Jammu and Kashmir was the only good thing given to the people of Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of article 370 and it had provided local/ self-governance powers to the common people of the state.

Accusing the Omar government of its failure on all fronts, Mir said that statehood rant raised by Omar Abdullah and other political parties was only for their self-empowerment not required for local development and empowerment of common people, saying that they want statehood for their own ‘dominance, not for development.

“The development can be done through local governing institutions, so we demand that Union Home Minister must step in and restore this basic democratic institution which was established by Union Government itself”, Shafiq said.

AJKPC members said that they will launch a statewide campaign in this regard appealing the Home Minister to intervene personally and restore the local governing institutions in the Jammu and Kashmir.

Prominent among others who spoke on the occasion included- Arun Kumar Sharma- president AJKPC, Mushtaq Ahmed Khan- Provincial president Kashmir, Mohd Sadeeq, Rajdev Singh, Makhan Manhas and Yogeshwar Singh.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar