The Hindu : National : Empower local bodies: Manmohan

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Friday, Feb 11, 2005

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Empower local bodies: Manmohan

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, FEB. 10. Taking note of the extensive participation in the civic polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, has advised the State's political leaders to respect the sentiment behind the massive participation and to allow financial and administrative autonomy to local bodies. Dr. Singh was talking to the State's Deputy Chief Minister, Mangat Ram Sharma, and the Finance Minister, M.H. Beig, who had called on him to discuss the Jammu and Kashmir plan allocation, especially the implementation of the Development and Reconstruction "package" that the Prime Minister had announced during his visit last year.

The Prime Minister's remarks are meant to convey the Centre's continued support for the democratic process in the State. These remarks are reflective of the considerable satisfaction in the official and political quarters over the unexpectedly large turnout in the civic polls. The large turnout is being seen here as a popular endorsement of the Chief Minister, Mufti Mohamed Sayeed's "healing touch" strategy, and a step forward in the battle against insurgency. The large turnout is being assessed by senior Home Ministry officials in terms of its implications for the claims and counter-claims of various individuals and groups who speak in the name of "Kashmiri people."

Dr. Singh acknowledged the courage and commitment shown by the people who braved the militants' threat and still turned out in large numbers.

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