M A I N   N E W S

PANCHAYAT EMPOWERMENT
Cong pins hopes on Rahul’s Kashmir visit
M Aamir Khan/TNS

Srinagar, October 2
With its demand for the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional amendment finding no support from the ruling National Conference, the Congress has now pinned hopes on All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Kashmir later this week.

“We are hopeful that he (Rahul) will support our demand for the implementation of the 73rd amendment,” said J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president Prof Saifuddin Soz. He was addressing a gathering on Gandhi Jayanti here today. Rahul Gandhi is scheduled to arrive here on October 4.

Soz said Rahul would attend a panchayat conference here on October 5. “Our meeting (with Rahul) is very important …we will also talk to him to win his support for the implementation of the amendment without any further delay,” he said.

Soz said his suggestions contained in a letter addressed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding the empowerment of panchayats had not been implemented and that was why the JKPCC would seek Rahul’s intervention.

Soz had urged the Chief Minister to incorporate the provisions of the 73rd amendment if the National Conference was not ready to adopt the Act.