Jammu, Nov 16 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha Saturday said that Panchayat polls will be held in the Union Territory soon after the weather improves.
“Panchayat polls are due and should have been held earlier but there was a constitutional hurdle. Our Panchayati Raj Act had no reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). For that there was a need for amendment and now that all legalities have been completed and stage is set for Panchayat polls in J&K,” the LG said addressing the gathering of Jehla Mela in Jammu, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
The LG announced that the administration is committed to hold Panchayat polls in J&K and the elections will be held soon after the weather improves in the UT. “In between, we had Lok Sabha polls and Assembly polls. Now it's time for the 33000 Panchayati representatives to get elected and take the governance to grassroot level,” he said.
The LG said that in the past five years, J&K is on the path of peace and prosperity. “This all was possible with the efforts of Prime Minister Narendera Modi. People including farmers are contributing and reaping the benefits of development,” he said.
The LG said that there are 13 lakh farmers in the UT and with the personal interest of PM Modi, farmer’s income reached fifth spot in the country. “Every citizen of the UT is being treated equally and huge opportunities are available for not just the people of the country but people of J&K as well,” he said.
The LG said that many initiatives have been taken to improve the living of farmers in J&K. He emphasised that these initiatives empower farmers and promote agriculture growth in the region. The LG paid tributes to the region’s historical figures, remembering the sacrifices of Baba Jitoo and the contributions of Bua Kodi, who have played a significant role in shaping the cultural and social fabric of Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)