Rahul Gandhi stresses more powers to local body leaders at Panchayat leaders meet in Jammu

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi began his two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir from Wednesday by addressing a panchayat leaders’ conference at Jammu. Speaking to a gathering of panchayat members and sarpanches, Rahul Gandhi said in the present political environment, local leaders need to be empowered. “In 21st century politics, the local leaders need to be empowered” asserted the Congress Vice President. “If the situations need to change in J&K, we need to give power and responsibilities to our Sarpanches and local bodies” he added.

“If we want to change J&K we should focus on two-three factors. The local leaders need to be empowered; youth need to be given proper skill development training and employment; and finally the women in J&K, who are our backbone, have to be helped” explained Rahul Gandhi.

Since 2004, there is UPA Government in Delhi and our focus since 2004 has been on giving rights to people of this country. We passed the food security bill. We didn't want anyone to be hungry in this country. Look at our programs, MNREGA or Food security bill, the truth is that without Panchayati Raj and Sarpanches, these programs can't function.

These programs develop from villages. Sarpanches and Panchayats will have to support the government. Some critical decisions will be taken in small villages, and we can't do it without your cooperation. If the situations need to change in J&K, we need to give power and responsibilities to our Sarpanches and local bodies.

What power a sarpanch or panch posses in J&K? Does a sarpanch, local body leader in Jammu and Kashmir have any powers? In 21st century politics, the local leaders need to be empowered. Normally the major decisions are being taken by the government behind closed doors, but without you those cannot be implemented. If we want to change J&K we should focus on two-three factors. The local leaders need to be empowered; youth need to be given proper skill development training and employment; and finally the women in J&K, who are our backbone, have to be helped. I can't see many women here today.  This has been the focus of the Congress party too. We are providing training to thousands of youth under our schemes Himayat and Umeed.

What you can do, no MLA or minister can do. The local work needs to be done by you - that is your role. The roles of MLAs and ministers are different. They are lawmakers. But it is your responsibility to take decisions on local issues and to implement it. We have a government supported by us and we will fight for the rights of the people.  We will implement 73rd, 74th Amendment here. You will get your rights, I will fight for you. I will keep coming here till you get your rights.

I am also aware of the issues of the refuges here. I understand their difficulties. I want to assure them that the Congress party will extend all possible help for them and will fight for their rights too.
Ambika Soni ji had just spoken about the border issues. We will stand by you in your fight. We will do whatever possible for  the people of Jammu and Kashmir. We want to empower you. We want to ensure that you get your rights.

I have just spoken to the Chief Minister about Food Security Bill and he was concerned that a little less food will be allocated under the new law. The states like Kerala also had the same issue and the Centre took adequate remedial measures to solve those problems. We will do the same in Jammu and Kashmir too. We want the law implemented here as well and we will make up the deficit. Whatever we are doing in the rest of the states, we want to do that in J&K. Food security Bill, land acquisition bill and Panchayati raj need to be implemented in J&K also like in any other state.

Look at Kerala where the Sarpanchs are empowered.  There are local body meetings, district body meetings and people’s opinions are heard. That is the political future and that is what should happen in J&K. We should follow what states like Kerala & Tamil Nadu are doing in terms of local governance. I will make sure that this happens in J&K too and I will fight for you to achieve it and until it happens I will keep coming back. The Congress will resolve issues of reservation, women's rights and empower the people of J&K.

This is what I wanted to tell you. Thank you very much.

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