- Home
- Front Page
Rahul lauds LAHDC functioning
KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 10/5/2012 1:34:07 AM
JAMMU, Oct 4: Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz today stated that AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi had lauded the functioning of LAHDC Leh and Kargil saying that they could set an example for entire nation vis-à-vis the way they were organising development works at the grass root level.
Soz, presently in Leh, was telephonically responding to a query put forth by Kashmir Times to clear the confusion created by reports being run by national news agencies that Rahul lauded the J&K Panchayati Raj model while addressing a rally there.
Soz said he had brought the exemplary work done by LAHDC Leh by honestly utilizing development funds to the notice of AICC general secretary.
“During his meeting with LAHDC representatives, he lauded their role and the way they were getting development works done at the grassroot level allowing no siphoning of funds. Later at a rally too in Leh, he reiterated his appreciation for their exemplary performance. Rahulji said that this was a kind a Panchayat which he could not find in Uttar Pradesh where he used to work at grass root level. AICC general secretary added that this would set an example for the whole nation,” Soz explained.
He added that those reports saying `he praised J&K Panchayati Raj model’ were misquoting Rahul missing his reference to the context. Soz said that Rahul would speak about Panchayati Raj tomorrow.
According to one national agency report: After raising questions on the issue of empowering sarpanches in Jammu and Kashmir, Rahul Gandhi today said the model of Panchayati Raj followed in the state will set an example for the whole nation.
“The model of Panchayati Raj which this region is following is far more effective than the one in practiced in Uttar Pradesh. This model is going to set an example for the entire nation,” Gandhi said in Leh.
Yet another agency report read as: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday complimented the panchayat system of Leh saying this model should be practised in the entire country.
“The model of Panchayati Raj which this region is following is far more effective than the one practiced in Uttar Pradesh. This model is going to set an example for the entire nation,” Gandhi, who kick-started his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from here, said.
Leh district has nine blocks with over 600 panchayat members. All the developmental work in carried out by sarpanchs and panchs after calling tenders for the work to be executed.
After an initial meeting with members of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, the 42 year old AICC general secretary held a political rally during which he assured the people of Ladakh that upon the completion of the all-weather Zojila and Z Morh tunnels, they would remain connected with the rest of the state and the country throughout the year.
Gandhi said the Congress believed in "uniting people".
"I know this region needs development and we'll provide good roads, mobile telephony, education and an overall package of development.
“I had a briefing from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council and I'm extremely happy for the work they have done for the rehabilitation of people after the tragic landslide," Gandhi, who was dressed in a local Ladakhi dress, said.
Besides connectivity, he also highlighted that the region needed education, promotion of tourism and good employment.
Later addressing a rally in Kargil, he assured the people there that after the Zojila Tunnel work was completed, the region would be linked to rest of the country.
He also said that air connectivity was important for the people of the region because on a number of occasions local people who fell sick could not be given best possible medical care because of lack of air connectivity.
Gandhi said he had a meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh and will take up the issue further.
Another news agency report read as: “……A press release issued by the Youth Congress also said that Gandhi was “effusive in his praise” of the Panchayati system followed in Kashmir.”