Conduct panchayat elections without delay, demands Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference

The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) on Tuesday made an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, demanding the immediate conduct of Panchayat elections in the Union Territory.

AJKPC leader Anil Sharma highlighted the critical role of Panchayati Raj institutions in grassroots governance and stressed the urgent need to restore democratic representation at the village level. Expressing concern over the absence of elected panchayats since their dissolution on January 9, 2024, he warned that the prolonged delay had significantly impacted rural governance, stalled developmental projects and hindered the effective implementation of government welfare schemes across Jammu and Kashmir.

“The absence of elected panchs and sarpanchs has left villagers without direct representatives, leading to stagnation in decision-making, delays in infrastructure projects and inefficiencies in delivering welfare initiatives to rural populations,” Sharma said.

Despite repeated appeals, the government has yet to issue a notification for the panchayat elections, causing growing frustration among the people. Sharma urged the authorities to prioritise the democratic rights of J&K’s residents and initiate the election process without further delay.