PDP to vociferously oppose Govt’s attempt to undermine institutions” Present regime systematically eroding sanctity of democratic institutions in State: Mufti

GNS  (Udhampur) October 02: Taking a jibe at National Conference led coalition regime for indulged into deceit tactics to systematically undermining democratic institutions in the state, patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayed today asserted that his party would not allow the present regime to accomplish its nefarious design of eroding sanctity of institutions like the Panchayati Raj system.

“Panchayati Raj institution is base of our democratic system and the PDP would not allow this vital institution of democracy to die at any cost”, he asserted while addressing an impressive public meeting at remotest Latti area of Udhampur district.

While paying tributes to Mahatama Gandhi on his 143rd birth anniversy, PDP patron said that setting up of vibrant Panchayati Raj system was dream of the Mahatama Gandhi and PDP was committed to fulfill that dream in Jammu and Kashmir.

Taking a dig at state government for not empowering Panchayats, he regretted that almost one and half year has been passed after completion of Panchayat elections but neither Block Committee nor District Committees have been constituted.

PDP patron warned that his party would strongly oppose gimmick of the ruling NC to undermine democratic institutions and to control these institutions through deceit tactics. “We will agitate for strengthening democratic institutions in the state”, he asserted and assured Panches and Sarpanches of Latti and adjoining localities that PDP would take their struggling to the local end. A large number of Panches and Sarpanches of this belt were present in the meeting.

Reminding the gathering that it was during the PDP led regime that elections of urban local bodies were held nearly after three decades, Mr Sayed recalled that institution of urban bodies was constituted all over the state and the participation of people in urban local bodies  elections were overwhelming at that time. “We had strengthened institution of local self government all over the state”, he said.

He, however, regretted that instead of taking some steps to strengthen democracy at grass root level the present regime has been brazenly trying to under mine such institutions. “Elections of urban local bodies including Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations were scheduled to be held in the month of February 2010 but the government has been postponing these elections with one or other excuse”, he said.  “Even in the Governor Address during the budget session of the Assembly, the government had promised to conduct local bodies elections”, he recalled but added that all promises remained on papers which substantiate PDP’s apprehensions that this regime was not interested in conducting local bodies elections. “What to say other things, this regime even failed to fulfill the promise which was made in the Governor’s Address”, he said and reminded that Chief Minister too had promised on August 15 this year that urban local bodies elections would be held very soon.

“Our government had carved out a path of balanced and equitable development in the State”, he said and added that it was first time in the history of Jammu and Kashmir that equal treatment was given to all the regions and sub-regions of the State be it in sanctioning developmental funds or delegating decision-making powers.  He further added that sincere efforts were taken by the PDP-Congress regime to bring transparency in the governance and to curb the menace of corruption.

Highlighting achievements of the previous PDP led regime, he said that his government had carved out a path of path of peace and development in the state.  “We have revived peoples’ faith in the democracy and in democratic institutions through our policies and programmes”, he said but hastened to add that the present regime has failed to come up to the expectations of the people. “The people have no faith on the present government and this regime does not has even a single achievement to highlight during its almost four years tenure”, he mentioned and regretted that the National Conference led government has failed to carry forward the agenda of peace and development which was initiated by the previous PDP-Congress regime.

He further said that PDP government had set an example of equitable and balanced development in Jammu and Kashmir. “Credit goes to the PDP led regime that first time after 1947, all regions were treated equally in developmental and other activities”, he said and added that it was after 2002 that successful efforts were made to empower all regions to remove the sense of inequality and discrimination. “PDP led coalition regime had laid a foundation of mutual trust and confidence among inhabitants of different regions of the State”, he said.

 PDP patron said that his party would remove the walls of hatred among different regions of the State and would also remove the trust deficit between people of Jammu and Kashmir and rest of the country. “Through our convictions and programmes, we would remove this trust deficit”, he asserted.

Former Chief Minister, while demanding independent tourist destination for Jammu region, said that this region has huge tourism potential and it was need of the hour to exploit this potential to improve socio-economic conditions of the people.

Responding to the demands raised by local leaders, he assured that matter regarding un-electrified villages would be taken up with the authorities concerned. Furthermore, he supported the demand of degree college at Latti.

General secretary Thakur Balbir Singh, Ved Mahajan, Sukhdev Sharma, Rajinder Singh Manhas, Suresh Sharma, Sansar Chand, Kuldeep Singh, Akthar, Wasim Khan,  Asgar Malik, Sarpanch, Ramesh Lal Sarpanch, Balwinder Singh Sarpanch, Om Parkash, Sarpanch, Beant Kour, Sarpanch, Aijaz Sumberia and others also spoke on the occasion.