New Delhi, Oct 21 (UNI) Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the adoption of the Panchayati Raj Act in Jammu and Kashmir which will enable the process for local body polls in the union territory.
Speaking to media after a briefing on the Cabinet meeting, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar said the move will help establish all the three tiers of grassroots level democracy like in other parts of the country for the first time since Independence.
Mr Javadekar further said that the people across India had the right to elect local representatives which was not available in the newly carved Union Territory.
He also said that this move empower people in J&K and “they will elect their own representatives who can plan the development of the district and implement the various welfare measures and programs.”
“The three-tier system under Panchayati Raj Act was being implemented in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir due to Article 370 and they did not have the opportunity to elect their local representatives. This step redeems the promise made by PM Modi in Kashmir, and Home Minister in Parliament”, the Minister added.
