All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference, representative body of elected PRI members held a protest against the Jammu and Kashmir administration for its decision to freeze the funds for further utilization that were already available with the Panchayats under 14th Finance Commission.
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Panches and Sarpanches from different areas of Jammu division participated in the protest.
The protestors while raising slogans against the Commissioner/secretary Rural Development condemned the officer for her dictatorial approach and undermining the Panchayati Raj Institutions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Anil Sharma, president of the AJKPC here told reporters that an order has been issued by the office of Commissioner/Secretary Rural Development wherein all the BDOs have been asked to freeze the funds available with the Panchayats under 14th Finance Commission and submit amount surrender statement by Janyary 22.
Sharma intimated that earlier the union government had issued an order wherein the deadline for utilization of these funds (under 14th FC) was fixed till March 31, 2023 and all the PRI members and the officers of the Rural development department were working accordingly, but out of blue, government order No. 21-JK(RD & PR) of 2023 dated 16/01/2023 has been issued without any application of mind or taking any brief and inputs from the PRI members, Block Development Officers or district level officers(ACDs) of the Rural development department.
