Safeguarding interests
For the first time in Jammu and Kashmir three tiers Panchayati Raj is complete with the conclusion of DDC elections. As the central government has yet to decide assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir DDC elections were being portrayed as the replacement to the mainstream political parties and the government promised all powers to them as they were elected by the people.
The recent government order has been a huge upset for these elected DDC members as they feel that their feelings have been hurt and their powers have been curtailed by the bureaucracy.
After meeting with Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha DDC members are waiting for the change for the earlier order issued by the bureaucracy and have already discussed how their powers were not being given by the administration.
Manoj Sinha has assured that he will safeguard the interests of DDC members as the elections were held only to empower the grass-root democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.
He told the protesting DDC members that he is keen to work with them at the grass root level so that developmental aspirations of the people at the village level are met without any road blocks.
The delegation of DDC members during the meeting with Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha have submitted a written memorandum giving details of how the bureaucracy was trying to keep control over them and how their powers were being clipped by the recent order of the administration.
