SRINAGAR, FEB 25: National Conference Senior Leader and Former MLA Ganderbal Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar has expressed his concern for not inviting DDC members in public and other functions.
In a statement issued here Mr Jabbar said it is very unfortunate that our DDC members are not invited by district administration Ganderbal in Block Devas and other functions.
Jabbar said that the present position of the DDC’s are handicapped, humiliated as they are sitting ideal and even not invited in meetings and no funds alloted to them till today. If the Panchayat act empowers them to serve the people in the direction of development why the Govt. is delaying the implementation of act. He said it is the issue of respect of the DDC chairman, vice
chairman and members and they can’t be taken lightly as they are elected representatives of the people forming third tier of the Panchayats for the first time in Jammu and Kashmir.
It’s an insult to democratic system by not inviting them in public and developmental meetings. The administration must understand that the Govenment has taken big initiative by holding elections to the DDCs. They aren’t rubber stamps who will go and vet whatever the administration wants. They have to circulate agenda well in advance and invite them in the functions. The elected Members must be given due respect”, Jabbar added.
He further said that councils be empowered at the earliest for the benefit of the masses otherwise it will prove a mockery and counter productive.