Jammu, Jan 18: Former Minister and senior National Conference leader Ajay Kumar Sadhotra Wednesday assailed the move of withdrawing Rs 81 Crores by the Jammu and Kashmir Government, allocated under 14th Finance Commission for Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Describing the decision as Arbitrary and Anti-poor, Sadhotra said, in a statement, that this move exposes the tall claims of the administration in strengthening the grass root level
democratic Institutions and speaks volume about the concern for rural development.
“Day in and day out, the government has been trumpeting about rural empowerment
through the PRIs but when it comes to delivery on ground, the action does not match words,” he said and called for restoration of the funds so that the works proposed are taken
up vigorously.
Sadhotra expressed surprise over the anti-farmer directive issued by the National
Highways Authority of India on January 13 barring farmers from farming within 500 meter from both sides of the boundary of Jammu Ring Road Project / Bypass from Raya Morh to Jagati falling in districts of Samba and Jammu.
The NC leader described the order as draconian as it will terribly impact the farmers having very meager holdings. Farming being the only mainstay of the peasantry, barring farming in 500 meters will jeopardize the sustenance of thousands of families.
