Kulgam, Dec 15: Panchs and Sarpanchs in this south Kashmir district, took to streets here on Thursday demanding empowerment of Panchayats.
 Sarpanchs and Panchs, assembled at town hall Kulgam this morning and later staged a demonstration against what they termed government’s “failure” to empower them.   
 General Secretary, south Kashmir Sarpanch Association, Khursheed Ahmad Malik said, “The government has been making lot of noise about giving powers to newly elected Sarpanchs and Panchs but the non implementation of the same shows how callous it is about the issue,” Malik said.
 He alleged the ministers and officers are against the empowerment of the Panchyats for their own vested interests. “Corruption is rampant everywhere. Ministers and the bureaucrats are opposing the empowerment of Panchayats as they fear that their scams and corrupt practices will be exposed. Whenever we approach officials with any public grievance, they pay no heed towards it,” Malik added.
 Another Sarpanch from Damhal Hanjipora , Sajad Ahmad said the Sarpanchs and Panchs  are treated like “criminals by the officers.”
 “Statements claiming that the Sarpanchs and Panchs have been empowered are issued day in and day out but it’s a farce,” he said.
 Panchs and Sarpanchs tried to move towards the DC office to present a memorandum. However, police swung into action and prevented them from doing so.
 The Deputy Commissioner Kulgam, Farooq Ahmad Khan said, “I had received an application by some PDP workers to hold a meeting in the Town Hall which I approved. I don’t know about any Panch and Sarpanch protests. I was in Srinagar for a meeting.”

Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 16 Dec 2011 00:00:00 IST