Panchayat body demands monthly honorarium for panchayat court members

The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) here on Sunday demanded several benefits, including a monthly honorarium, for the members of panchayat courts.

The All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) here on Sunday demanded several benefits, including a monthly honorarium, for the members of panchayat courts.

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The AJKPC, a body of elected Panchayat representatives, has asked the state government to immediately release the monthly honorarium. Accusing the stare panchayati raj minister of ignoring the grievances of the judicial committee members, AJKPC president Anil Sharma said the state government was least bothered about strengthening panchayati raj institutions and the grass-roots judicial system.

The government is not only denying the implementation of the 73rd Amendment of the Constitution, but also violating the Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, 1989, he said. "As per the Act, the chairman and other members of panchayat courts are entitled for remuneration, but neither any officer nor the minister concerned has come on record to say anything on this issue," Sharma said.

The AJKPC also demanded helping staff, adequate infrastructure and proper training for judicial committee members. "Panchayat courts are part and parcel of the panchayati raj institutions. We won't allow any injustice to them," Sharma said.