Srinagar , March 23: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has urged the governor administration to immediately release pending salaries of the elected members of various urban local bodies (ULBs) of the valley.
Speaking to a delegation of elected members of various municipal committees who called her on at her Srinagar residence, Mehbooba underlined that by participating in the elections, these elected members had risked their lives so that they could help their people.
The delegation apprised miss mufti about the problems they are facing including nonpayment of salaries, non-cooperation by local administration, lack of proper security and accommodation arrangements in their respective areas.
“Members of ULBs and panchayats took great risk while contesting elections. And if they want to use their positions to help their people at the grassroot level, they must be given full support”, Mehbooba said.
“It is sad to hear that they haven’t been given salaries for many months now. ULB members are also awaiting proper and secure accommodation in their respective areas”, she added.
Mehbooba urged the Governor administration to take immediate steps in order to address issues being faced by the ULB members across Kashmir.
“When local administrations do not cooperate and genuine demands of the elected members aren’t met, it defeats the very purpose of ULBs and panchayats as institutions of strengthening democracy grassroots level “, Mehbooba added.
