Srinagar, Sep 04: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference on Monday said it is committed to strengthening democratic institutions at grassroots levels and expanding their orbit to empower people to draw the blueprints of development.
The party functionaries while addressing a meeting of NC’s block functionaries of Hazratbal here at the party headquarters said, “The three-tier and fully empowered Panchayati Raj system became a reality during the Omar Abdullah led government. It was during his tenure as Chief Minister that these bodies were rejuvenated by giving decision-making and financial powers to them. Good governance demands respect for human rights, rule of law, strengthening of democracy, promoting transparency and capacity in public administration. The vehicle that was most ideal to initiate both political and economic democracy at the grassroots level is the Panchayat Raj system. Revitalization of the Panchayati system remains a top priority on the party’s to-do list.”
The party functionaries who addressed include party Treasurer Shammi Oberoi, Central Zone President Ali Muhammad Dar, Senior Provincial VP Muhammad Syed Akhoon, In Charge Constituency Salman Ali Sagar. The meeting was presided over by District President Srinagar Peer Afaq Ahmed. On the occasion, organizational issues and the prevailing political situation in the segment were discussed threadbare, the party said in a statement.
The leaders exhorted the block functionaries to strengthen the efforts of party leadership, who are fighting for the restoration of J&K’s rights on multiple fronts both within and outside the parliament.
“Our party has left no stone unturned to put up a strong case in the Apex court. We are fighting the Constitutional issue with the constitutional angle but we have to fight democratically as well by keeping BJP and its local proxies away from the sacred political spaces. We cannot afford to let them occupy even a single seat in Panchayat and ULB elections,” they said, adding, “If we erred this time, there is no returning back. Therefore our block functionaries have to intensify their outreach. There is a wave on the ground in favour of NC, however, there is no scope of complacency, we have to make extra efforts.”