Srinagar/Jammu, Jan 14: Ahead of the much-awaited expansion-cum-reshuffle of the state’s council of ministers on Tuesday, Congress Monday placed before the Coalition Coordination Committee (CCC) a crucial report of its “in-house panel” regarding incorporation of certain amendments of the Constitution of India in Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act.
Sources told Greater Kashmir that NC-Congress Coordination Committee, which met here under the chairmanship of PCC chief Prof Saifuddin Soz discussed various issues confronting the coalition including empowerment of Panchayats, security of Panchayat members, Block Development Council and Urban Local Bodies polls and nomination of members to Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC).
Sources privy to the meeting told Greater Kashmir that the members of Coordination Committee met in a friendly atmosphere in Jammu. They said Soz, who is also the chairman of CCC, tabled the report of the committee to recommend on extension of provisions of the 73rd amendment of the Constitution of India that Congress want to be incorporated in J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989.
“We have submitted our report to CCC on the recommendations of certain provisions of the central Act to be adopted in the state’s Panchayati Raj Act”, Prof Soz told media persons after the meeting. Pertinently, State Congress had constituted an internal committee to study and subsequently recommend certain provisions of the 73rd amendment of the Constitution of India act to be incorporated in the state’s Panchayati Raj Act for empowering Panchayats.
Soz informed that his party has recommended certain provisions of the 73rd amendment for incorporation in the State’s Panchayati Raj Act, and “things will fall in place very soon”. “We never said that 73rd amendment should be adopted in Toto. We always maintained that certain provisions should be implemented in the state’s existing Act so that Panchayats and their representatives can be empowered and strengthened”, Soz said.
He also added that a similar roadmap will be drawn for Block Development Council (BDC) elections. “We have not forgotten Urban Local Bodies’ elections. We (coalition) will soon also do it on priority”, he added.
Finance Minister AR Rather, who is a member of CCC said; “A decision on the repot will be taken soon and we will meet again very to take a final call on holding BDC and ULB elections”. A member of the CC, wishing not to be named, said the meeting discussed how the Public Service Commission (PSC) can be strengthened to ensure speedy employment of people.
“The Congress suggested two names for the post of chairman PSC. The NC hasn’t yet accepted the names suggested by the alliance partner,” he said.
The meeting, according to sources, unanimously accepted that the much awaited Municipal Elections should be held without any further delay. “We stressed that Election department should complete the exercise of completing the electoral rolls as soon as possible so that Municipal polls are held,” sources said. The meeting, sources said, also discussed the security of Panchs and Sarpanchs following the spurt in the attacks against Panchayati representatives. “We also laid stress on the need of providing them with insurance cover and monthly honorarium,” they said.
CCC members include, besides Soz, Law Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar, NC legislator Chowdhary Muhammad Ramzan, Finance Minister Abdur Rahim Rather, deputy chief minister Tara Chand and Congress leader Mangat Ram Sharma Sharma, however, couldn’t attend today’s meeting due to ‘personal reasons.’
CCC meeting assumes significance owing to the fact that the ruling dispensation is about to witness a crucial expansion-cum-reshuffle on January 15 (Tuesday) in Jammu.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 IST