Jammu: Reacting to the criticism against amendment in Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said that he will continue making efforts to strengthen the grassroots level democratic setup including the Panchayat’s and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). 
“Three tier Panchayat Raj system is implemented across the country but unfortunately Jammu and Kashmir had two tier system. We have extended the provision 73 amendment of Indian constitution. I think no one should have issues with these amendments,” Sinha said in a first interview to any news channel ever since he joined in Jammu and Kashmir.
“With this representatives elected by people will play an important role in development of J&K. This Panchayati Raj System is also supported by Mahatma Gandhi and will ensure development in rural areas,” he said when asked that politicians are raising objections at the government for allegedly deferring the assembly elections to restrict powers only to the Raj Bahvan.
He further said he has directed administrative secretaries to devise strategy in consolation with Panchayat representatives.
On Assembly election, he said “people believe in assurances given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2020. We all know delimitation has started its process. May some people have disbelief, but who have taken oath of Indian Constitution know that delimitation commission acted passed parliament Indian”.
He further said that he felt trust deficit between people and governance after assuming the charge of J&K LG. “I have been attempting to remove this trust deficit,” he added. He informed that the strategy have been formulated to redress issues on the spot. “For the first time, I have invited people from 22 districts on October 22 and will take stock of their issues,’ he added.
“We have taken more than 73 decisions in the tenure of 73 days. It is quite difficult for me to set serial number of decision on priority basis,” LG said.
He added corruption was behind the demands for separatism and restoration of the special status and action against corruption would have credibility only if it was impartial.
Asked about the recent meeting between the leaders of National Conference and PDP, Mr. Sinha said these leaders now did not have any public support.
Common people’s lives were changing. Their ambitions and aspirations were so far suppressed by these political leaders. Now the situation is changing. In such a scenario, the demands for special status and separatism have no place, he said.
Lt Governor said the Centre had initiated a unique socio-developmental scheme to counter separatist politics in the Union Territory and implementation had already started.
To begin with, focus is on the youth and on promoting sports activities by encouraging them to take to sports including soccer, hockey, rugby and other outdoor activities like water and winter games and several indoor sports activities. Facilities for all these sports activities were being set up.
Road infrastructure is being developed on a fast track and the UT is at the top in implementing the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY).
Back to Village, Tehsil Day and My Town My Pride campaigns have been activated in every district. A centre of the Public Grievance Cell has been opened in Raj Bhavan and cases are being handled and accountability fixed for addressing corruption complaints.
Mr. Sinha said the doors of Raj Bhavan are open for common people and it has been decided that two helicopters of Raj Bhavan will be made available for common people in case of emergencies.
Deputy Commissioners and senior police officials have been directed to meet common people every day except Sundays and Wednesdays from 1030 hrs. to 1130 hrs. to address their grievances.
About Back to Village campaign he said that although much progress could not be seen in the first two phases but in the third phase emphasis was laid on social security. In this three-week campaign all districts were given the target of 100 per cent out of which 80- 90 per cent task had been completed. Seventy per cent completion was noticed in backward districts.
About development of villages through panchayats Mr. Sinha said he had made elaborate arrangements for development of villages and every village had been given Rs.10 lakh under the scheme besides under MNREGA. This way each panchayat had been given funds between Rs.50 lakh and Rs.1.25 crore. Panches and Sarpanches had been given the authority to complete the work and permission had been granted for conducting works upto Rs.3 lakh without calling for tenders. In addition every panchayat had been given sports kits worth Rs.20,000 each.
Two youths will be shortlisted in every village for sports scholarships and special training. About 8,500 youth had been targeted for sports loans for which more than 10,000 applications were received.
Indoor and outdoor sports facilities were being created in every district and stadia were being built at a cost of Rs.200 crore under the Khelo India programme. By next year the UT would have enough stadia and sports centers for nearly 1.5 lakh youth to participate in sports activities at a time.
Mr. Sinha said ground situation was fast changing and officials visited every district to see the work being completed at a fast pace.
