RDD refutes news regarding implementation of Panchayati Raj Act in J&K

Jammu: Reacting to a news item carried by local daily Thursday, mentioning that several key provisions of Panchayati Raj Act are yet to be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir, the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department has said that the J&K government has implemented several provisions of the Act in J&K to empower the local self governance bodies for rural emancipation.
As per a communiqué received here in this regard, the J&K Panchayati Raj Act was amended by the Central Government in October, 2020 to give sufficient powers to people for strengthening of PRIs besides Funds, Functions and Functionaries have been devolved. About 27 functions have been transferred till date out of 29 functions as contained in the 73rd constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
Nearly, Rs 1727 crore have been devolved to Panchayats and 1889 Panchayat Account Assistants have been recruited. Besides, elected representatives are being provided honorarium and formal position in the Warrant of Precedence. Also, cover of Rs. 25 lakh is being provided for any elected BDC Chairperson, Sarpanch or Panch who dies due to militancy related incident.
The communication said that a regular system of interaction of district officers with Panchayat representatives have been institutionalized to further strengthen PRI Institutions. The conduct of Panchayat Adalats, which is being governed by J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 as amended from time to time, is already in place. Besides, Panchayats are independent enough to conduct Adalats as envisaged in the Act and schedule therein.
Similarly, section 15 of J&K Panchayati Raj Act, 1989 empowers the Panchayats to levy fee on several items while section 14 of J&K Panchayati Raj Act 1989 empowers the halqa panchayat (1st Tier) to levy property tax and house tax in J&K. Every halqa Panchayat shall have the fund to be operated by the Secretary Panchayat and the Sarpanch called as Halqa Panchayat Fund.
The document further said that the procedure for operating the Halqa Panchayat Fund is under consideration of Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and shall be notified shortly.