Not averse to include provisions of 73rd amendment: JK Govt

The Jammu and Kashmir Government today said it is not averse to incorporating the provisions of the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution of the country in the state's Panchayati Raj Act.

"We appreciate the point raised by the members from different parties about incorporating the provisions of the 73rd amendment in our Panchayati Raj Act. We can do it," Law Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar said while replying to a query

during a discussion on recent killing of Panchayat members and the need for steps to safeguard and empower the panchayats.

Sagar said that no law is perfect and the provision of amendments is there in the Constitution to improve upon earlier legislations.

"We will see how much we can amend the Act for strengthening the Panchayati Raj in the state," the minister said.

He said the government was committed to establishing the three-tier Panchayati Raj system which is evident from the fact that elections were held by the Omar-led government after a gap of nearly 30 years.

Sagar said the chief minister formed a committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to look into the areas where powers can be delegated to the Panchayats.

The minister hit out at militants and separatist elements, without naming them, saying that they were trying to derail the Panchayati Raj system for their vested interests.

"This government, however, is committed to not to allow them to succeed in their designs. We have decided not to surrender before them," he said.

On the recent killing of panchs and sarpanchs, the minister said while the government cannot provide individual security to such a huge number of people, various steps have been initiated to instill a sense of security among them.

Meanwhile, replying to a query on the demand for reservation for SC, ST and women in the Block Development Councils, Sagar said it can be done in future.

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