This refers to the news “Panchayat Raj: JK yet to begin capacity building' (GK 15.06.2011). The suggestions put forth must be implemented by the State in toto for successful implementation of Panchayati Raj System.
It is really unfortunate that politicians  don’t want devolution of power to Panchayati Raj Institutions.  Because they are apprehensive of becoming toothless if these ground level institutions emerge strong in the State. The success of these institutions fully depend on Amendment 73 &74 in Panchayati Raj Act, which J&K State Legislature has not yet adopted. As per these amendments every sarpanch has to open an account in a nationalized bank and provide account number to Ministry of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Govt. of India through Rural Development Department of State. The amount fixed by the RDD, Government of India as per rules for development in a financial year would directly credit into their accounts. So if State adopts the above amendments in toto, the sarpanchs’ directly dependency upon MLA for development funds will come to an end. In present system local MLA is very powerful and all development funds lie with him. It is his discretion, where to start development work in his constituency. Complaints regarding discrimination by MLAs with particular areas having vote bank of opposition party is a routine matter. Recently survey conducted have been conducted by reputed national institute on performance of MP/MLAs which clearly revealed that  MPs and MLAs are  unable to spend  big chunk of their Constituency Development Funds (CDF) because of long domain of his constituency.
The need of the hour is that Government should do adopt amendments 73 & 74 amendments to make these institutions effectively functional, otherwise Centre may refuse to release funds for Rural Development  for want of amendments which is a pre-requisite. 

 Jasbir Singh
Tehsil & Distt. Haveli, Poonch 
Jasbir2299@yahoo.com

Lastupdate on : Sun, 19 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 19 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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