Bandipore: The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) on Tuesday demanded delimitation of Panchayat Halqas prior to the conduct of Panchayat elections, citing wide disparities in population and geographical area among Panchayats across the Union Territory.
The demand was raised during a ‘Panchayat Samelan’ organised by the AJKPC in Bandipore district, which was attended by District Development Council (DDC) members, former Block Development Council (BDC) chairpersons, Panchayat representatives, and senior leaders of the organisation.
The programme was presided over by AJKPC President Anil Sharma, while DDC Member Bandipore, Dr Mustafa, attended as the Guest of Honour.
Addressing the gathering, Anil Sharma urged the government to undertake a comprehensive delimitation exercise of Panchayat Halqas before announcing elections, stating that the existing imbalance in population size and territorial spread among several Panchayats undermines effective grassroots governance. He emphasised that fair delimitation was essential to ensure equitable representation and smooth functioning of local self-government institutions.
In his address, Dr Mustafa welcomed the AJKPC President to Kashmir and appreciated the organisation’s sustained efforts in strengthening both urban and rural local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir. He acknowledged the role of Panchayat representatives in grassroots development and assured continued cooperation.
Other DDC members from Bandipore, including Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather, Nazia Begum, Farzil Shoaib, Bashir Ahmed Baba, and Bazir Ahmed Rather, also attended the programme and assured full support to the AJKPC on issues concerning elected representatives.
Former Sarpanch Mohammad Safi Khan thanked the participants for their enthusiastic response and for the warm reception accorded to the AJKPC President during the visit.
Former BDC chairpersons Nazir Ahmed Rather, Gulshan Begum, and Hari Begum also addressed the gathering and strongly advocated amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, particularly provisions related to the No Confidence Motion. They said the provision had increasingly become a tool of pressure and harassment, creating instability and adversely affecting the functioning of elected BDC chairpersons and Sarpanches.
Senior AJKPC leaders reiterated their resolve to remain united under the organisation’s banner to safeguard the rights and dignity of elected representatives. They appealed to elected MLAs to raise these concerns in appropriate forums and stressed that Panchayat elections should be held in a timely manner, following the completion of the tenure of District Development Councils, with elections to all three tiers conducted simultaneously.
Former Sarpanches and Panches, including Mohd Maqbool, Mehraj, Razia, Muzaffar, Anwar, Fiaz Ahmed, Basir Malik, Nazir Ahmed, Fatima Begum, and others, were also present on the occasion.
