Rajouri, Apr 22: Continuing his tirade against its alliance partner, Pradesh Congress Committee on Sunday termed the National Conference (NC) as “the only hurdle in the empowerment of Panchayats” in the state.
 “The process for empowerment of the people through Panchayati Raj system has been left midway. We want the elected Panchs and Sarpanchs to be fully empowered but NC is not ready to implement the 73rd constitutional amendment in the state”, Member Parliament and JKPCC president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz said while addressing a gathering organized by the Sarpanchs and Panchs of this border district on Sunday.
 “All the claims being made by the state government regarding empowerment of the local bodies were not true and we seriously believe that the process is incomplete without the powers”, he said.
 Asking the Panchayat members to start a campaign in the state, Prof Soz said that his party will support the movement if it is launched in Jammu and Kashmir. “I will personally ensure that the union minister of Panchayati Raj is invited to the state and we will fight with you (Sarpanchs and Panchs) for your empowerment”, he said.
 The process for the empowerment of the local bodies has virtually deepened the crises within the coalition. Congress has started a public campaign in the state accusing its alliance partner NC of subverting the process.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 22 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 23 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST