"Due to Azad, the BDC election was deferred because it will be futile unless depressed class of society -- SC/ST -- and women are represented at the block and district levels in Panchayat Raj system in Jammu and Kashmir," senior Congress leader and former Minister G M Saroori said today.
He was addressing Panches and Sarpanches of Bunjwah, Saroor, Sarthal and Thatri areas of Drabshallah and Thatri block of Inderwal Constituency to garner votes in favour of coalition candidates for Legislative Council polls in Jammu and Kashmir on December 3.
Saroori said the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare was in favour of deferment of Block Development Council polls for a short period in the interest of a fully empowered Panchayati Raj system.
"The holding of polls for these bodies without necessary amendment incorporating further powers and due representation to women and the deprived sections of the society, would not have served the purpose of establishing fully empowered institutions of Panchayati Raj," he said.
The Inderwal MLA said the establishment of Panchayat Raj Institutions will boost the development works in villages.
He said Panchayat Raj was introduced by Former Congress Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and it was an achievement for the coalition government to hold Panchayat Elections after 30 years.
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He was canvassing support for Sham Lal Bhagat (Congress candidate) and Shenaz Ganaie (National Conference candidate).
Saroori said the state government was committed to transferring more powers to Panchayat Raj institutions.