Srinagar: The All Jammu & Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) on Saturday demanded an increase in the monthly honorarium of Panchayat representatives, seeking ₹10,000 for Sarpanchs and ₹5,000 for Panchs to strengthen grassroots democracy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a meeting of the organisation in Srinagar, AJKPC President Anil Sharma said Panchs and Sarpanchs play an important role in resolving public issues and ensuring implementation of development works at the grassroots level.
Sharma said Punjab has announced a monthly salary of ₹10,000 for Sarpanchs and asserted that Panchayat representatives in Jammu and Kashmir should also be provided similar financial support.
He said there is a need to move beyond increasing honorarium and provide proper salaries to Panchs and Sarpanchs considering their responsibilities and contribution towards local governance.
The AJKPC president said that despite repeated announcements regarding availability of funds for Panchayats, the ground situation does not reflect the same and alleged that the rights and resources of Panchayat representatives remain pending.
He also demanded immediate release of all pending honorarium dues of Panchs and Sarpanchs across Jammu and Kashmir.
Sharma said financial empowerment of Panchayat representatives is essential for strengthening the Panchayati Raj system and urged the government to take immediate measures in this regard to ensure more effective functioning of Panchayats.
