Jammu, Oct 2: In a bid to assuage the ongoing standoff between the coalition partners in the state - National Conference and Congress - over the empowerment of Panchayats, union minister and former Chief Minister of the state, Dr Farooq Abdullah has asserted that NC is committed to empowerment of Panchayats and anything that is good for the people will be done.
“We should not jump the gun but wait for the discussion to take place in the Assembly”, Dr Abdullah told media persons here today.
Farooq said whatever the changes that are required to be made for transferring the powers to the grassroots level will be done in a democratic manner and within the constitution.
Reacting to the queries regarding Omar Abdullah v/s Rahul Gandhi, a scenario that is being perceived following the stalemate over the implementation of 73rd amendment in the state, Farooq said; “There is no problem. As far as Panchayats are concerned anything that is good for the people would be done”.
He however, added, “There is going to be a free discussion in Assembly in this regard. We should not jump the gun”.
Reiterating NC’s commitment of empowering Panchayats, the union minister said, “Right from the time of Sher-e-Kashmir, NC has this feeling that the powers must go to the people at grassroots level and Panchayats are the right place to give it to the people.”
It may be mentioned that the Congress Party has launched a vigorous campaign demanding implementation of 73rd amendment of the Constitution of India. Youth Congress has been holding protests over the issue and has even demanded resignation of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Amid hue and cry, Omar, has aggravated the controversy by saying that even the Congress was not in favour of Panchayat empowerment and two of its ministers were repeatedly approaching him in this regard.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 2 Oct 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
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