Srinagar, Nov 17: Claiming that both the candidates fielded by the State Congress for upcoming Legislative Council elections would win, the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) chief, Saifudin Soz Saturday said the Panchayat representatives (PRs) were safe as entire Congress had put its weight behind them and that the people have rejected the violence.
 He also said the party is fighting hard to seek monthly honorarium for the Sarpanchs and Panchs and that it would come up with its report on incorporation of certain “leftover” provisions of 73rd amendment within four days.
 Addressing media men here after chairing the meeting of legislators and district presidents of the party, Soz said the party had fielded Ghulam Nabi Monga from Kashmir and Sham Lal Bhagat for its two seats from the Panchayat quota for the upcoming LC polls slated for December 3.  “I am quite sure that our candidates will win and work for the betterment of Sarpanchs and Panchs,” he said.
 The state Congress chief said the Panchayat representatives were “safe and secure” as entire Congress had put its weight behind them. “Be it their empowerment, giving them more powers by incorporating some more provisions or seeking monthly honorarium for them, Congress is behind them,” Soz said. “I believe this way they are safe and secure. They are not in danger.”
 On whether Sarpanchs and Panchs don’t need the security, the PCC chief said, “We can’t see security in every lawn. People have rejected the violence. There will be no boycott of polls as well as people are ready to vote.” He said the State unit of the party is lobbying for the monthly honorarium of more than Rs 3000 to a Sarpanch and over Rs 2000 for a Panch. “We are also demanding insurance cover for the Panchayat representatives the premium of which would be paid by the government,” he said.
 Soz said he had directed the party cadre especially, MPs legislators, and district presidents to ensure free and fair LC elections. He said the party is finalizing the listing of “leftover” provisions of 73rd amendment. “We had sought postponement of Block Development Council (BDC) only to incorporate some more provisions of 73rd amendment. We have almost finalized the report and would put forth the same before the Coordination Committee of the ruling coalition,” he said.  “We want every settlement amicably and through a joint consensus without alliance partner.”
 He said the party report will be tabled in the CC within four days. To a query about land grab charges against senior Congress minister Taj Mohiudin, Soz said the meeting he chaired discussed only the strategy to be adopted for the LC polls.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Nov 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Nov 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Nov 2012 00:00:00 IST