Despite terror threats and boycott calls, home ministry upbeat about J&K local polls

Rajnath calls Assam CM; assures central help for floods [File] Home Minister Rajnath Singh | PTI

The panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir will be held as per schedule irrespective of the threats from terror outfits and despite political parties calling for boycott, senior officials of the Union home ministry said on Friday.

The home ministry's stance has come at a time when the state is under Governor's rule and law and order is the responsibility of the Union government.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the local body elections will have historical significance as it will re-establish grassroots level democracy in the state.

Sources in the ministry said there is a momentum that has been built up and people are filing nominations regardless of the boycott calls and security threats coming from various terrorist organisations.

At least 400 companies (4,000 personnel) of central paramilitary forces will be deployed in the state during the polls, in addition to the security forces already deployed in J&K.

While the urban local body elections are being held for the first time after 2005, the panchayat elections were last held in 2011. Provision of direct elections for sarpanches of the panchayats has also been restored this time to ensure accountability.

“The administration will provide the best possible security to the state for the smooth conduct of the polls,'' said a senior MHA official. The panchayat polls will be held in nine phases, starting November 17.

As soon as the dates for the polls were announced, major political parties in the state —the National Conference and the Peoples Democratic Party—announced their decision of a boycott ostensibly unhappy with the J&K government's stance in the apex court seeking to defer the hearing on scrapping Article 35 A, citing the upcoming polls.

Security officials pointed out that there has always been a spurt in attacks in J&K ahead of the polls , with vested interests wanting to derail the process.

The empowerment of the local bodies is of great significance in the insurgency-hit state in order to empower people. Terror outfits like the Lashkar and Hizbul Mujahideen have time and again not only tried to derail the municipal polls, but also carried out a spate of attacks on panchayat leaders to deter them from functioning properly.

“A major deterrent in the development of the state has been the inability of the grassroot level democracy to flourish in the state, in turn alienating the masses and causing frustration and anger in the youth, prompting them to pick up arms. To break this vicious cycle, it is extremely necessary to hold the panchayat polls and give powers to the locals ,” said an official.

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Singh has announced that the financial powers of the panchayats will also be enhanced 10 times from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Similarly, the financial powers of block councils are being enhanced from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh . The Central and state government funds will further supplement ''own funds'' of the panchayats such as MNERGA, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and mid-day meal among others. Panchayats will also be involved in implementation of various key national schemes such as National Health Mission and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana.

However , the challenge before the BJP government is huge as it will have to ensure that the polls are held not only in a free and fair manner but without major terror incidents, besides ensuring the participation of people. It also remains to be seen whether the Union government is able to pull off the exercise in a manner that stops the furthering of alienation of people.

Earlier in the day, the home ministry said a number of decisions have been taken following the home minister's review meeting in the state on July 4 and 5 this year. Most significant of these is the conduct of local body elections, it said. It listed out other significant steps:

* Local bodies are also being vested with significantly enhanced devolution of powers in line with best practices in the country. This will enable them to address most of the local issues in their jurisdictions.

* The functions and functionaries of all the 29 subjects transferred to panchayats under the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of India will also be transferred to the panchayats of J&K, including institutions like primary health centers, primary schools and aganwadi centers.

*On an average, every panchayat will now have around Rs 50-80 lakh per year at its disposal for implementation of such schemes. To further strengthen the panchayats, additional posts are being sanctioned for accountant, data entry operator, block panchayat inspector etc.

*Strengthening of the Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC and KAHDC)

*The Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC and KAHDC) have been strengthened and empowered to become the most autonomous councils in the country to address various issues being faced by people living in the remote areas of Ladakh region.

* The LAHDC & KAHDC have been given more powers to levy and collect local taxes. Control has been given over functioning of various departments as well as the government employees working for the subjects that are transferred to them.

*All such properties like public buildings, public roads constructed by LAHDC & KAHDC shall now belong to the council. Funds allocated to these councils from the state budget can now be carried forward for the next year.

*The panchayats in Kargil and Leh will also follow directions of these councils. Chief executive councillor will also be the chairman of all tourism development authorities. These councils will also have a deputy chairman for better functioning.

Special Police Officers

*Considering the crucial role being played by the special police officers in anti-militancy operations, MHA has enhanced their honorarium from existing Rs 6,000 per month to 9,000 on completion of 5 years and Rs 12,000 on completion of 15 years.

*Financial assistance to West Pakistan refugees settled in J&K

* MHA has approved a scheme of Rs 5.5 lakh financial assistance to nearly 5,764 West Pakistan refugees settled in J&K. Amounts due to the eligible beneficiaries will be transferred in their bank accounts.

* The state government has designated divisional commissioner Jammu as the nodal officer for effective and speedy disbursement of the amount to all eligible beneficiaries.