The Centre has asked the Jammu and Kashmir administration to prepare for urban local bodies elections that were last held in 2005.
The issue was discussed at a security review meeting held in Srinagar on Thursday during the first visit of Home Minister Rajnath Singh after the imposition of Governor’s rule in the State. The local body polls could be used to test the waters for holding Assembly elections.
An official said governance at the grassroots was important and it was necessary that corruption was weeded out from the system.
J&K has 78 urban local bodies, which includes two municipal corporations in Jammu and Srinagar.
Earlier, when the BJP-PDP government was in power, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had announced that panchayat polls would be held in February and polls to the ULBs urban local bodies would follow. The panchayat polls, last held in 2011, could not be conducted due to security concerns and the imminent tourist season. The Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) threatened to pour acid into the eyes of people who participated in the electoral process.
Based on the State government’s request, the Centre had mobilised around 40,000 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and put them on standby.
As per the initial plan, the elections were to be held in four phases from February 15.
‘Development elusive’
Mr. Singh said peace and stability could be brought to the State through an honest, effective and efficient administration.
He reviewed the security situation in the State at a high-level meeting attended by Governor N.N. Vohra, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Home Secretary Rajiv Gauba and other officials.
“The dream of a developed and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir will be realised when there is peace and normalcy in the State. It is our firm resolve to bring peace, stability and prosperity through an honest, effective and efficient administration for the problems facing the State,” a statement quoted him as saying.
Discussing the way forward for the State, Mr. Singh said development and good governance had remained elusive for the people of J&K and the Central government was committed to taking all possible measures to bring accountability and transparency in the system.
“With a renewed focus on good governance and development, the Centre is looking forward to kindle new aspirations and hopes amongst the people of the State,” he said.
He said the solution to problems lies in empowerment of the people and strengthening the institutions of local self-government.
J&K was placed under Governor’s rule on June 20 after the BJP withdrew support to alliance partner PDP, prompting Ms. Mufti to resign as Chief Minister.
Mr. Singh, who could not visit the Amarnath shrine due to the inclement weather, sought a ground report from all Intelligence agencies, the police and the CRPF to take a call on the overall security scenario. The security agencies shared the plans in place to deal with the law and order situation.
He also took stock of the security arrangements for the ongoing Amarnath yatra.
Sources said the Centre also issued an advisory to all para-military forces to maintain extraordinary vigil on their security establishments in J&K and on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) “in view of intelligence inputs about possible attacks”, especially on the death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
Separatists have already called for a shutdown across the Kashmir Valley on July 8.
Meanwhile, a Raj Bhavan spokesman said Mr. Singh held extended discussions with Governor Vohra on implementation of the development programmes and governance issues.
The Chief Secretary presented an update on the status of major projects under the Prime Minister’s Development Programme, particularly AIIMS, IITs & IIMs, and Ring Roads at Jammu and Srinagar, said the spokesman.
( With inputs from Peerzada Ashiq )
