No dispute with Cong over 73rd amendment: Rather

SHABIR AHMAD. Dated: 10/25/2012 12:16:39 AM

‘47 percent people use only 6 gas cylinders a year’

SRINAGAR, Oct 24: Finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather today said implementing the entire 73rd amendment of Indian constitution into the J&K Panchayati Raj Act is a threat to Article 370.
Talking to media persons at Achabal in Anantnag, he, however, claimed that there is no difference of opinion between Congress and National Conference (NC) on the issue of 73rdamendment. “Both the partners have mutually agreed to incorporate all such clauses of 73rdamendment of Indian constitution in the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act which will be in the larger interest of the people,” Rather said.
He stated that incorporating the whole of 73rd amendment in J&K Panchayat Raj Act will be a big threat to the Article 370. “Our party will not allow anybody to do so. Our state enjoys special status under Article 370. Incorporating the 73rd and 74th amendments in our constitution will not only put it in danger but will also paralyse the state government.”
He said the incorporation of whole amendment will leave the state government totally dependent on parliament for any amendment in its own Panchayat Raj Act. “After the incorporation of 73rd and 74th amendments here the state government will have to beg before the parliament for even a little amendment in its own panchayat raj act. It will render us totally dependent on parliament,” Rather said.
However, he added that the state government is ready to amend its own panchayat act for the empowerment of panchayats. “We are ready to incorporate certain provisions of 73rd amendment or even to amend our own panchayat act for the empowerment of panchayats. Congress also demanded the panchayat empowerment and deliberations with the party are on,” he said.
On raising the LPG cap from six to nine, finance minister claimed that 47 percent people in the state are using only six cylinders a year. “Only elite class or upper middle class is using more than six cylinders a year while as 47 percent population uses only six cylinders. Even then we have raised the issue with the centre and hope that keeping in view the cold weather conditions in the state it (central government) will pay heed to our demand,” he said.
Rather made a fervent appeal to the employees unions to shun the path of confrontation for resolving their demands adding that most of their demands have already being fulfilled and other demands are also under active consideration of the government. He said government is committed to resolve the genuine demands of the employees with open mind through dialogue and reconciliation adding that confrontation is in nobody’s interest. He said though 6th pay commission recommendations were announced in 2006 but it was implemented by the present dispensation in 2009.

 

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