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DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

  • 27 December, 2020

  • 6 Min Read

PM: DDC polls a new chapter in democracy

PM: DDC polls a new chapter in Democracy

  • Prime Minister on Saturday praised the Jammu and Kashmir administration for the “peaceful and successful” conduct of the maiden District Development Council (DDC) elections and said the people of the Union Territory had written a new chapter in India’s democracy by participating in large numbers.
  • “The completion of DDC polls puts in place a three­tier Panchayati Raj system, fulfilling Mahatma Gandhi’s Gram Swarajya Dream.
  • Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mr Modi said, “Vajpayee would always talk of Kashmiriyat, Jamhooriyat and Insaniyat. We are following the mantra today.”

What are the District Development Councils (DDCs)?

  • The Central government has amended Jammu and Kashmir’s Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, to establish District Development Councils (DDCs) in all districts in the union territory.
  • This is the first time such councils have been established in the country.
  • According to the amendment, every district in J&K will be divided into 14 territorial constituencies to elect members of the body in the maiden DDC elections to be held later this year.
  • Officials added the move was the final step in the implementation of the 73rd Amendment, which envisages the Gram Sabha as the foundation of the Panchayat Raj system and empowers Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women.
  • Top government sources said the move has been made keeping in mind the upcoming DDC elections. Officials said the central government’s move to establish DDCs is aimed at enhancing grassroots-level democracy across J&K.
  • For each district there shall be a District Development Council, having jurisdiction over the entire district excluding such portions of the district as are included in a Municipality or Municipal Corporation constituted under any law for the time being in force,” states the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation (Adaptation of State Laws) Fourth Order, 2020.

For complete news on Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019: click here

Source: TH


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