GK NEWS NETWORK
Srinagar, July 24: Top leadership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is gearing up to act as teachers for a day rather and administer lessons on some key issues, including the resolution of Kashmir, to the newly elected Panchs and Sarpanchs in Jammu and Kashmir. And the exercise, apparently first of its kind, is being conducted in the backdrop of the recently conducted Panchayat elections in the state where some senior party leaders shall act as resource persons while the Panchs and Sarpanchs as the audience.
 On July 28, the PDP has convened a “state-level conference on Panchayats” at the Tourist Reception Centre ground here. It is understood that hundreds of Panchs and Sarpanchs from different parts of the state have already registered themselves for the event, which is being conducted on the lines of any high-level conference on Kashmir.
 According to sources, the senior leaders including the PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, Muhammad Dilawar Mir and others shall act as the resource persons for the day-long event. And the subjects to be discussed, according to sources, are a thorough discussion on how to use the platform of Panchayats for better governance and to address the larger issue of the resolution of Kashmir, powers of Panchayat institutions and the empowerment of Panchs and Sarpanchs—something where the state government has so far cut a sorry figure.
 According to the event managers, the idea to hold the conference is to “consolidate the gains of Panchayat elections and give it a direction.” “We want to utilize the representative character of the elected Panchs and Sarpanchs to take forward the peace process started in 2004,” said the PDP’s Chief Spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar. “We shall brief the elected Panchs and Sarpanchs about their duties, rights and responsibilities and how best they can function to improve governance in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.”
 The entry to the conference is restricted, with only Panchs and Sarpanchs allowed participation. “We are in the process of registering the elected representatives. We are receiving lists from different constituencies. The entry shall be strictly based on an identification card which we shall issue to the participants,” Akhtar told Greater Kashmir.
 The Panchayat Conference, pertinently, assumes significance in the backdrop of a sharp focus of almost everyone—particularly the elected Panchs, Sarpanchs and the voters—on the coalition government which has been continuously beating the drum of “empowering Panchayats at the grassroots level for effective governance delivery.” The spotlight on the Panchayats is also in the backdrop of hype that New Delhi and the state government created over these polls, with the United Progressive Alliance chairperson, Sonia Gandhi, going to the extent of describing them as a “fitting reply to militants.” Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister, Mani Shanker Aiyar has also recently said that establishing effective Panchayat Raj system in Jammu and Kashmir would signify “real freedom for Kashmir.”
 “This Conference shall deal with the subject of Panchayats in a holistic and professional manner,” Akhtar said.
 The timing of the Conference is from 11 AM to 5 PM on July 28. It is understood that many Panchyats from Jammu districts shall participate in the event. “It will be a different event where the elected representatives in thousands will come and stay in Srinagar for a whole day. Those participating from outside the Valley shall stay for a couple of nights as well,” said a PDP leader.

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