Former Minister and senior Congress leader Raman Bhalla today termed it unfortunate to conduct Block Development Council (BDC) polls when there is no political activity in the state for over 60 days. This was stated by him while interacting with Panchayat members of District Poonch in connection with BDC polls in state.He was accompanied by Ex MLC Jahangir Mir, Ex MLA ch. Mohd. Akram  Distt President Ch. Ghani, Youth State Vice President Ajaz Ch., Madam Parveen Khan, Raiyaz Naz, Taj Mir, Gulzar Jatt, Noor Ahmed, Mohd, Amim, Talib Hussain, Hazi Safif, Ch. Nazir, and Block President, Sarpanch, Panch, supporter workers and others prominent person. He expressed concern over political and security atmosphere in the state. He alleged that it is a mockery of democracy to hold BDC elections that too on the party basis when the majority of the opposition leaders are detained. He said that it would have been better to hold the proposed elections to Block Development Councils (BDCs) after the complete implementation of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution to ensure maximum participation of the people.The BDCs polls hold great significance for Panchayati Raj Institutions in J&K as these are conducting for the first time here. The constitution of BDCs will hold no meaning if these are conducted on the pattern of J&K Panchayati Act, 1989 without considering all provisions of 73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution,” Bhalla said after holding a crucial meeting with elected Panchayat members here.

Bhalla further said that Congress has always advocated empowerment of Panchayats and had opposed amendment in Jammu and Kashmir Panchayati Raj Act, saying it was a "retrograde decision" by the government to negate the very basic concept of 73rd amendment of the Constitution introduced in the Act. The PDP-BJP government had taken a very retrograde decision to negate the very basic concept of 73rd amendment of the Constitution introduced in the J&K Panchayat Raj Act on March 14th, 2014 after a long-drawn struggle by the Congress party in the state.The elections to the panchayats had to be held as per amended law of 2014, which as per 73rd amendment provided for 33 per cent reservation to women, SCs and STs at panch, sarpanch and block level respectively and in district boards. Congress has been also demanding a separate Finance Commissions for Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), as per the central law. He maintained that this will help in effective disbursement and utilization of funds apart from identifying resources.

Bhalla strongly maintained that devolution of powers at the grassroots level is a unique opportunity for people to become stakeholders in their own developmental process. The J&K Panchayat Act was passed in 1989, but only three of the allotted 25 functions under the Act were actually provided budgetary support. The Panchayats will directly monitor activities pertaining to 19 departments/subjects and carry out audits of government schemes and projects. The PDP-BJP government had amended the Act, providing for indirect election of sarpanches (panches to elect sarpanch of a panchayat). Congress had requested to then Governor NN Vohra to roll back the decision. Terming the upcoming BDC polls as crucial for strengthening democracy at grass-roots level in Jammu and Kashmir, former minister exhorted the cadre to gear up for the big challenge and ensure election of public spirited and honest representatives to the basic democratic institutions. He exuded confidence that the sagacious voters would elect dedicated and public spirited representatives who would change the rural scenario by their innovative ideas, he added.

Bhalla said that his party does not believe in caste based and communal politics but our main thrust is safeguarding national interests. He said unlike other parties, a Congress party worker has to devote himself to nation instead of having any expectations for himself, and party workers are expected to render a selfless service to the country. He further said that the people are the strength of the party and the leadership and workers should maintain a good liaison with masses. He said that Congress party would always remain steady on its principles of secularism, and equality for all & equitable development of all regions of the State. He exhorted party workers to strengthen the booth units and gear up for all kinds of electoral battles in near future.