Panchayat Conference calls for immediate rural elections

All-Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) has expressed concern over the “prolonged” delay in holding panchayat elections in the Union Territory. It has pointed out that more than a year has passed since the dissolution of panchayats on January 9, 2024. AJKPC — in an appeal to the JK administration during a press conference on Monday — called for immediate action to restore grassroots democracy and unlock developmental funds meant for rural areas. “We had hoped that once Assembly elections are conducted in Jammu and Kashmir, the panchayat elections will follow. Unfortunately, that has not happened,” AJKPC president Anil Sharma said. Sharma said that failure to conduct elections within one year of dissolution has resulted in blockage of funds meant for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). He said these funds are vital for the execution of key development projects across rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir. He regretted that rural development has been severely impacted due to the absence of elected panchayat bodies. “Projects related to roads, electricity, drinking water supply and ration distribution have reportedly slowed down or come to a complete halt in many areas,” he said. Sharma said, “We fought for the establishment of a State Election Commission so that the people are not dependent on political parties for the conduct of elections.” “However, things are not moving in the right direction as elections are getting delayed,” the AJKPC leader said. Sharma urged the administration to not delay elections further and to set a clear timeline for both panchayat and Block Development Council (BDC) elections. The delay is not only a setback to democratic governance, but also a major roadblock to rural development and delivery of essential services, he said. The AJKPC leader has said that the dissolution of panchayats, and the delay in fresh elections, has left a democratic vacuum at the village level. “Elections are not a formality—they are a necessity. Without them, rural governance is paralysed and the common man suffers,” he said. “We request the government to conduct the elections without further delay. The UT administration must take responsibility and act in the interest of rural people who are waiting for development, accountability and representation,” the AJKPC leader added.

J & K